@ 4523be58:ba1facd0

NIP-116

Event paths

Description

Event kind 30079 denotes an event defined by its event path rather than its event kind.

The event directory path is included in the event path, specified in the event's d tag. For example, an event path might be user/profile/name, where user/profile is the directory path.

Relays should parse the event directory from the event path d tag and index the event by it. Relays should support "directory listing" of kind 30079 events using the #f filter, such as {"#f": ["user/profile"]}.

For backward compatibility, the event directory should also be saved in the event's f tag (for "folder"), which is already indexed by some relay implementations, and can be queried using the #f filter.

Event content should be a JSON-encoded value. An empty object {} signifies that the entry at the event path is itself a directory. For example, when saving user/profile/name: Bob, you should also save user/profile: {} so the subdirectory can be listed under user.

In directory names, slashes should be escaped with a double slash.

Example

Event

json { "tags": [ ["d", "user/profile/name"], ["f", "user/profile"] ], "content": "\"Bob\"", "kind": 30079, ... }

Query

json { "#f": ["user/profile"], "authors": ["[pubkey]"] }

Motivation

To make Nostr an "everything app," we need a sustainable way to support new kinds of applications. Browsing Nostr data by human-readable nested directories and paths rather than obscure event kind numbers makes the data more manageable.

Numeric event kinds are not sustainable for the infinite number of potential applications. With numeric event kinds, developers need to find an unused number for each new application and announce it somewhere, which is cumbersome and not scalable.

Directories can also replace monolithic list events like follow lists or profile details. You can update a single directory entry such as user/profile/name or groups/follows/[pubkey] without causing an overwrite of the whole profile or follow list when your client is out-of-sync with the most recent list version, as often happens on Nostr.

Using d-tagged replaceable events for reactions, such as {tags: [["d", "reactions/[eventId]"]], content: "\"👍\"", kind: 30079, ...} would make un-reacting trivial: just publish a new event with the same d tag and an empty content. Toggling a reaction on and off would not cause a flurry of new reaction & delete events that all need to be persisted.

Implementations

• Relays that support tag-replaceable events and indexing by arbitrary tags (in this case f) already support this feature.
• IrisDB client side library: treelike data structure with subscribable nodes.

https://github.com/nostr-protocol/nips/pull/1266

@ b60c3e76:c9d0f46e

KRIS menjamin semua golongan masyarakat mendapatkan perlakuan sama dari rumah sakit, baik pelayanan medis maupun nonmedis.

Demi memberikan peningkatan kualitas layanan kesehatan kepada masyarakat, pemerintah baru saja mengeluarkan Peraturan Presiden (Perpres) nomor 59 tahun 2024 tentang Jaminan Kesehatan. Melalui perpres itu, Presiden Joko Widodo (Jokowi) telah menghapus perbedaan kelas layanan 1, 2, dan 3 dalam Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial atau BPJS Kesehatan.

Layanan berbasis kelas itu diganti dengan KRIS (Kelas Rawat Inap Standar). Berkaitan dengan lahirnya Perpres 59/2024 tentang Perubahan Ketiga atas Perpres 82/2018 tentang Jaminan Kesehatan, Presiden Joko Widodo telah memerintahkan seluruh rumah sakit yang bekerja sama dengan BPJS Kesehatan melaksanakannya.

Kebijakan baru itu mulai berlaku per 8 Mei 2024 dan paling lambat 30 Juni 2025. Dalam jangka waktu tersebut, rumah sakit dapat menyelenggarakan sebagian atau seluruh pelayanan rawat inap berdasarkan KRIS sesuai dengan kemampuan rumah sakit.

Lantas apa yang menjadi pembeda dari sisi layanan dengan layanan rawat inap sesuai Perpres 59/2024? Dahulu sistem layanan rawat BPJS Kesehatan dibagi berdasarkan kelas yang dibagi masing-masing kelas 1, 2, dan 3. Namun, melalui perpres, layanan kepada masyarakat tidak dibedakan lagi.

Pelayanan rawat inap yang diatur dalam perpres itu--dikenal dengan nama KRIS—menjadi sistem baru yang digunakan dalam pelayanan rawat inap BPJS Kesehatan di rumah sakit-rumah sakit. Dengan KRIS, semua golongan masyarakat akan mendapatkan perlakuan yang sama dari rumah sakit, baik dalam hal pelayanan medis maupun nonmedis.

Dengan lahirnya Perpres 59/2024, tarif iuran BPJS Kesehatan pun juga akan berubah. Hanya saja, dalam Perpres itu belum dicantumkan secara rinci ihwal besar iuran yang baru. Besaran iuran baru BPJS Kesehatan itu sesuai rencana baru ditetapkan pada 1 Juli 2025.

“Penetapan manfaat, tarif, dan iuran sebagaimana dimaksud ditetapkan paling lambat tanggal 1 Juli 2025,” tulis aturan tersebut, dikutip Senin (13/5/2024).

Itu artinya, iuran BPJS Kesehatan saat ini masih sama seperti sebelumnya, yakni sesuai dengan kelas yang dipilih. Namun perpres itu tetap berlaku sembari menanti lahirnya peraturan lanjutan dari perpres tersebut.

Kesiapan Rumah Sakit

Berkaitan dengan lahirnya kebijakan layanan kesehatan tanpa dibedakan kelas lagi, Kementerian Kesehatan (Kemenkes) menegaskan mayoritas rumah sakit di Indonesia siap untuk menjalankan layanan KRIS untuk pasien BPJS Kesehatan.

Kesiapan itu diungkapkan oleh Dirjen Pelayanan Kesehatan Kemenkes Azhar Jaya. “Survei kesiapan RS terkait KRIS sudah dilakukan pada 2.988 rumah sakit dan yang sudah siap menjawab isian 12 kriteria ada sebanyak 2.233 rumah sakit,” ujar Azhar.

Sebagai informasi, KRIS adalah pengganti layanan Kelas 1, 2, dan 3 BPJS Kesehatan yang bertujuan untuk memberikan layanan kesehatan secara merata tanpa melihat besaran iurannya.

Melalui KRIS, rumah sakit perlu menyiapkan sarana dan prasarana sesuai dengan 12 kriteria kelas rawat inap standar secara bertahap. Apa saja ke-12 kriteria KRIS itu?

Sesuai bunyi Pasal 46A Perpres 59/2024, disyaratkan kriteria fasilitas perawatan dan pelayanan rawat inap KRIS meliputi komponen bangunan yang digunakan tidak boleh memiliki tingkat porositas yang tinggi serta terdapat ventilasi udara dan kelengkapan tidur.

Demikian pula soal pencahayaan ruangan. Perpres itu juga mengatur pencahayaan ruangan buatan mengikuti kriteria standar 250 lux untuk penerangan dan 50 lux untuk pencahayaan tidur, temperature ruangan 20--26 derajat celcius.

Tidak hanya itu, layanan rawat inap berdasarkan perpres itu mensyaratkan fasilitas layanan yang membagi ruang rawat berdasarkan jenis kelamin pasien, anak atau dewasa, serta penyakit infeksi atau noninfeksi.

Selain itu, kriteria lainnya adalah keharusan bagi penyedia layanan untuk mempertimbangkan kepadatan ruang rawat dan kualitas tempat tidur, penyediaan tirai atau partisi antartempat tidur, kamar mandi dalam ruangan rawat inap yang memenuhi standar aksesibilitas, dan menyediakan outlet oksigen.

Selain itu, kelengkapan tempat tidur berupa adanya dua kotak kontak dan nurse call pada setiap tempat tidur dan adanya nakas per tempat tidur. Kepadatan ruang rawat inap maksimal empat tempat tidur dengan jarak antara tepi tempat tidur minimal 1,5 meter.

Tirai/partisi dengan rel dibenamkan menempel di plafon atau menggantung. Kamar mandi dalam ruang rawat inap serta kamar mandi sesuai dengan standar aksesibilitas dan outlet oksigen.

Azhar menjamin, Kemenkes akan menjalankan hal tersebut sesuai dengan tupoksi yang ada. “Tentu saja kami akan bekerja sama dengan BPJS Kesehatan dalam implementasi dan pengawasannya di lapangan,” ujar Azhar.

Berkaitan dengan perpres jaminan kesehatan itu, Direktur Utama BPJS Kesehatan Ghufron Mukti menilai, perpres tersebut berorientasi pada penyeragaman kelas rawat inap yang mengacu pada 12 kriteria. "Bahwa perawatan ada kelas rawat inap standar dengan 12 kriteria, untuk peserta BPJS, maka sebagaimana sumpah dokter tidak boleh dibedakan pemberian pelayan medis atas dasar suku, agama, status sosial atau beda iurannya," ujarnya.

Jika ada peserta ingin dirawat pada kelas yang lebih tinggi, kata Ghufron, maka diperbolehkan selama hal itu dipengaruhi situasi nonmedis. Hal itu disebutkan dalam Pasal 51 Perpres Jaminan Kesehatan diatur ketentuan naik kelas perawatan.

Menurut pasal tersebut, naik kelas perawatan dilakukan dengan cara mengikuti asuransi kesehatan tambahan atau membayar selisih antara biaya yang dijamin oleh BPJS Kesehatan dengan biaya yang harus dibayar akibat peningkatan pelayanan.

Selisih antara biaya yang dijamin oleh BPJS Kesehatan dengan biaya pelayanan dapat dibayar oleh peserta bersangkutan, pemberi kerja, atau asuransi kesehatan tambahan.

Ghufron Mukti juga mengimbau pengelola rumah sakit tidak mengurangi jumlah tempat tidur perawatan pasien dalam upaya memenuhi kriteria KRIS. "Pesan saya jangan dikurangi akses dengan mengurangi jumlah tempat tidur. Pertahankan jumlah tempat tidur dan penuhi persyaratannya dengan 12 kriteria tersebut," tegas Ghufron.

Penulis: Firman Hidranto Redaktur: Ratna Nuraini/Elvira Inda Sari Sumber: Indonesia.go.id

@ 266815e0:6cd408a5

Lot of people are starting to talk about building a web-of-trust and how nostr can or is already being used as such

We all know about using the kind:3 following lists as a simple WoT that can be used to filter out spam. but as we all know it does not really signal "trust", its mostly just "I find your content interesting"

But what about real "trust"... well its kind of multi-denominational, I could trust that your a good developer or a good journalist but still not trust you enough to invite you over to my house. There are some interesting and clever solutions proposed for quantifying "trust" in a digital sense but I'm not going to get into that here. I want to talk about something that I have not see anyone discuss yet.

How is the web-of-trust maintained? or more precisely how do you expect users to update the digital representation of the "trust" of other users?

Its all well and good to think of how a user would create that "trust" of another user when discovering them for the first time. They would click the "follow" button, or maybe even rate them on a few topics with a 1/5 star system But how will a user remove that trust? how will they update it if things change and they trust them less?

If our goal is to model "trust" in a digital sense then we NEED a way for the data to stay up-to-date and as accurate as possible. otherwise whats the use? If we don't have a friction-less way to update or remove the digital representation of "trust" then we will end up with a WoT that continuously grows and everyone is rated 10/10

In the case of nostr kind:3 following lists. its pretty easy to see how these would get updated. If someone posts something I dislike or I notice I'm getting board of their content. then I just unfollow them. An important part here is that I'm not thinking "I should update my trust score of this user" but instead "I'm no longer interested, I don't want to see this anymore"

But that is probably the easiest "trust" to update. because most of us on social media spend some time curating our feed and we are used to doing it. But what about the more obscure "trust" scores? whats the regular mechanism by which a user would update the "honestly" score of another user?

In the real world its easy, when I stop trusting someone I simply stop associating with them. there isn't any button or switch I need to update. I simply don't talk to them anymore, its friction-less But in the digital realm I would have to remove or update that trust. in other words its an action I need to take instead of an action I'm not doing. and actions take energy.

So how do we reflect something in the digital world that takes no-energy and is almost subconscious in the real world?

TLDR; webs-of-trust are not just about scoring other users once. you must keep the score up-to-date

@ 266815e0:6cd408a5

While I was in Mediera with all the other awesome people at the first SEC cohort there where a lot of discussions around data storage on nostr and if it could be made censorship-resistent

I remember lots of discussions about torrents, hypercore, nostr relays, and of course IPFS

There were a few things I learned from all these conversations:

1. All the existing solutions have one thing in common. A universal ID of some kind for files
2. HTTP is still good. we don't have to throw the baby out with the bath water
3. nostr could fix this... somehow

Some of the existing solutions work well for large files, and all of them are decentralization in some way. However none of them seem capable of serving up cat pictures for social media clients. they all have something missing...

An Identity system

An identity system would allow files to be "owned" by users. and once files have owners servers could start grouping files into a single thing instead of a 1000+ loose files

This can also greatly simplify the question of "what is spam" for a server hosting (or seeding) these files. since it could simply have a whitelist of owners (and maybe their friends)

What is blossom?

Blossom is a set of HTTP endpoints that allow nostr users to store and retrieve binary data on public servers using the sha256 hash as a universal id

What are Blobs?

blobs are chunks of binary data. they are similar to files but with one key difference, they don't have names

Instead blobs have a sha256 hash (like b1674191a88ec5cdd733e4240a81803105dc412d6c6708d53ab94fc248f4f553) as an ID

These IDs are universal since they can be computed from the file itself using the sha256 hashing algorithm ( you can get a files sha256 hash on linux using: sha256sum bitcoin.pdf )

How do the servers work?

Blossom servers expose four endpoints to let clients and users upload and manage blobs

• GET /<sha256> (optional file .ext)
• PUT /upload
• Authentication: Signed nostr event
• Returns a blob descriptor
• GET /list/<pubkey>
• Returns an array of blob descriptors
• Authentication (optional): Signed nostr event
• DELETE /<sha256>
• Authentication: Signed nostr event

What is Blossom Drive?

Blossom Drive is a nostr app built on top of blossom servers and allows users to create and manage folders of blobs

What are Drives

Drives are just nostr events (kind 30563) that store a map of blobs and what filename they should have along with some extra metadata

An example drive event would be json { "pubkey": "266815e0c9210dfa324c6cba3573b14bee49da4209a9456f9484e5106cd408a5", "created_at": 1710773987, "content": "", "kind": 30563, "tags": [ [ "name", "Emojis" ], [ "description", "nostr emojis" ], [ "d", "emojis" ], [ "r", "https://cdn.hzrd149.com/" ], [ "x", "303f018e613f29e3e43264529903b7c8c84debbd475f89368cb293ec23938981", "/noStrudel.png", "15161", "image/png" ], [ "x", "a0e2b39975c8da1702374b3eed6f4c6c7333e6ae0008dadafe93bd34bfb2ca78", "/satellite.png", "6853", "image/png" ], [ "x", "e8f3fae0f4a43a88eae235a8b79794d72e8f14b0e103a0fed1e073d8fb53d51f", "/amethyst.png", "20487", "image/png" ], [ "x", "70bd5836807b916d79e9c4e67e8b07e3e3b53f4acbb95c7521b11039a3c975c6", "/nos.png", "36521", "image/png" ], [ "x", "0fc304630279e0c5ab2da9c2769e3a3178c47b8609b447a30916244e89abbc52", "/primal.png", "29343", "image/png" ], [ "x", "9a03824a73d4af192d893329bbc04cd3798542ee87af15051aaf9376b74b25d4", "/coracle.png", "18300", "image/png" ], [ "x", "accdc0cdc048f4719bb5e1da4ff4c6ffc1a4dbb7cf3afbd19b86940c01111568", "/iris.png", "24070", "image/png" ], [ "x", "2e740f2514d6188e350d95cf4756bbf455d2f95e6a09bc64e94f5031bc4bba8f", "/damus.png", "32758", "image/png" ], [ "x", "2e019f08da0c75fb9c40d81947e511c8f0554763bffb6d23a7b9b8c9e8c84abb", "/old emojis/astral.png", "29365", "image/png" ], [ "x", "d97f842f2511ce0491fe0de208c6135b762f494a48da59926ce15acfdb6ac17e", "/other/rabbit.png", "19803", "image/png" ], [ "x", "72cb99b689b4cfe1a9fb6937f779f3f9c65094bf0e6ac72a8f8261efa96653f5", "/blossom.png", "4393", "image/png" ] ] }

There is a lot going on but the main thing is the list of "x" tags and the path that describes the folder and filename the blob should live at

If your interested, the full event definition is at github.com/hzrd149/blossom-drive

Getting started

Like every good nostr client it takes a small instruction manual in order to use it properly. so here are the steps for getting started

1. Open the app

Open https://blossom.hzrd149.com

2. Login using extension

You can also login using any of the following methods using the input - NIP-46 with your https://nsec.app or https://flare.pub account - a NIP-46 connection string - an ncryptsec password protected private key - a nsec unprotected private key (please don't) - bunker:// URI from nsecbunker

3. Add a blossom server

Right now https://cdn.satellite.earth is the only public server that is compatible with blossom drive. If you want to host your own I've written a basic implementation in TypeScript github.com/hzrd149/blossom-server

4. Start uploading your files

NOTE: All files upload to blossom drive are public by default. DO NOT upload private files

5. Manage files

Encrypted drives

There is also the option to encrypt drives using NIP-49 password encryption. although its not tested at all so don't trust it, verify

Whats next?

I don't know, but Im excited to see what everyone else on nostr builds with this. I'm only one developer at the end of the day and I can't think of everything

also all the images in this article are stored in one of my blossom drives here

nostr:naddr1qvzqqqrhvvpzqfngzhsvjggdlgeycm96x4emzjlwf8dyyzdfg4hefp89zpkdgz99qq8xzun5d93kcefdd9kkzem9wvr46jka

@ 5b0183ab:a114563e

Nostr community will continue to grow over time which does lend merit to a brief history lesson to avoid confusion. With this said I would like to offer the origin of #Zapathon and how it's evolved over time.

In February of 2023 we were just getting the hang of zapping within the Nostr Protocol. Prior to the invention of zaps we were posting invoices to pay which clearly was inefficient yet entertaining in this new frontier we had grown to appreciate.

Nostr was just starting to take off via the Lightning Network and one wallet was gaining steam as the de facto zap speed leader. That wallet was Wallet of Satoshi (WoS). Custodial or not, the ease of use and instant “no kyc” sign up it gained attention among the plebs. So much so that one day in February their system was becoming bogged down with Nostr zaps.

On February 27th WoS posted this - https://image.nostr.build/c90b6867a87f9b6aa1d8c75e10650ac78378caa44d5571a40d3596f8f39e6a5d.png

This got me thinking…. ok, they upgraded their system. They think they are good now. Would if we pushed it further. Afterall, if Nostr will continue growing, zaps will too. From that moment the #Zapathon planning was initiated.

On March 2nd, 2023 it began with this post - https://image.nostr.build/f658d5ca29fb595cfdfb8b89dd6d6b5db3a1d2ee3c5853ec4f30ada8d104049e.jpg

From that 15 minutes of success the pleb community catered the format. #Zapathon was scheduled weekly, every Thursday / Friday 5PM EST for 30 Minutes of non stop zapping. The sat amount wasn't the goal, the frequency of zaps was. This laid the ground game for the following weeks ahead.

Wallet of Satoshi was an admirable foe. They continued to provoke and give network feedback as we went back and forth shutting them down or falling short. It was a mutual beneficial stress test for Nostr and WoS.

https://image.nostr.build/daa126bf5acaec168836d578429d72fe595c20140ff6e6d6c4ac2f8fbeec68de.png

The battles were intense and rewarding from a community perspective. It was a match to gasoline on the meme culture. We used Pablo's ZapLife.LOL as a leaderboard to inspire competion. We had goals, we had motivation and we were all working together to build the network for tomorrow.

After some time the momentum shifted, Apple banned Zaps on Damus and Wallet of Satoshi removed themselves from the USA app stores. #Zapathon just wasn't what it had been. But nonetheless we had the memories, we have the stories. We had a concept for the future.

The concept of #Zapathon today is used for fun, in a more ambiguous fashion. Sometimes used on a special occassion, to test new client integrations or large migrations to enrich the community zap culture for newcomers. A fun way to express that we are different. A global community that transacts frictionless on freedom tech with freedom money.

Zapathon is not dead. it's a sleeping giant. Until then, I hope you enjoyed the brief history lesson.

@ f977c464:32fcbe00

Güneşin kaybolmasının üçüncü günü, saat öğlen on ikiyi yirmi geçiyordu. Trenin kalkmasına yaklaşık iki saat vardı. Hepimiz perondaydık. Valizlerimiz, kolilerimiz, renk renk ve biçimsiz çantalarımızla yan yana dizilmiş, kısa aralıklarla tepemizdeki devasa saati kontrol ediyorduk.

Ama ne kadar dik bakarsak bakalım zaman bir türlü istediğimiz hızla ilerlemiyordu. Herkes birkaç dakika sürmesi gereken alelade bir doğa olayına sıkışıp kalmış, karanlıktan sürünerek çıkmayı deniyordu.

Bekleme salonuna doğru döndüm. Nefesimden çıkan buharın arkasında, kalın taş duvarları ve camlarıyla morg kadar güvenli ve soğuk duruyordu. Cesetleri o yüzden bunun gibi yerlere taşımaya başlamışlardı. Demek insanların bütün iyiliği başkaları onları gördüğü içindi ki gündüzleri gecelerden daha karanlık olduğunda hemen birbirlerinin gırtlağına çökmüş, böğürlerinde delikler açmış, gözlerini oyup kafataslarını parçalamışlardı.

İstasyonun ışığı titrediğinde karanlığın enseme saplandığını hissettim. Eğer şimdi, böyle kalabalık bir yerde elektrik kesilse başımıza ne gelirdi?

İçerideki askerlerden biri bakışlarımı yakalayınca yeniden saate odaklanmış gibi yaptım. Sadece birkaç dakika geçmişti.

“Tarlalarım gitti. Böyle boyum kadar ayçiçeği doluydu. Ah, hepsi ölüp gidiyor. Afitap’ın çiçekleri de gi-”

“Dayı, Allah’ını seversen sus. Hepimizi yakacaksın şimdi.”

Karanlıkta durduğunda, görünmez olmayı istemeye başlıyordun. Kimse seni görmemeli, nefesini bile duymamalıydı. Kimsenin de ayağının altında dolaşmamalıydın; gelip kazayla sana çarpmamalılar, takılıp sendelememeliydiler. Yoksa aslında hedefi sen olmadığın bir öfke gürlemeye başlar, yaşadığın ilk şoku ve acıyı silerek üstünden geçerdi.

İlk konuşan, yaşlıca bir adam, kafasında kasketi, nasırlı ellerine hohluyordu. Gözleri ve burnu kızarmıştı. Güneşin kaybolması onun için kendi başına bir felaket değildi. Hayatına olan pratik yansımalarından korkuyordu olsa olsa. Bir anının kaybolması, bu yüzden çoktan kaybettiği birinin biraz daha eksilmesi. Hayatta kalmasını gerektiren sebepler azalırken, hayatta kalmasını sağlayacak kaynaklarını da kaybediyordu.

Onu susturan delikanlıysa atkısını bütün kafasına sarmış, sakalı ve yüzünün derinliklerine kaçmış gözleri dışında bedeninin bütün parçalarını gizlemeye çalışıyordu. İşte o, güneşin kaybolmasının tam olarak ne anlama geldiğini anlamamış olsa bile, dehşetini olduğu gibi hissedebilenlerdendi.

Güneşin onlardan alındıktan sonra kime verileceğini sormuyorlardı. En başta onlara verildiğinde de hiçbir soru sormamışlardı zaten.

İki saat ne zaman geçer?

Midemin üstünde, sağ tarafıma doğru keskin bir acı hissettim. Karaciğerim. Gözlerimi yumdum. Yanımda biri metal bir nesneyi yere bıraktı. Bir kafesti. İçerisindeki kartalın ıslak kokusu burnuma ulaşmadan önce bile biliyordum bunu.

“Yeniden mi?” diye sordu bana kartal. Kanatları kanlı. Zamanın her bir parçası tüylerinin üstüne çöreklenmişti. Gagası bir şey, tahminen et parçası geveliyor gibi hareket ediyordu. Eski anılar kolay unutulmazmış. Şu anda kafesinin kalın parmaklıklarının ardında olsa da bunun bir aldatmaca olduğunu bir tek ben biliyordum. Her an kanatlarını iki yana uzatıverebilir, hava bu hareketiyle dalgalanarak kafesi esneterek hepimizi içine alacak kadar genişleyebilir, parmaklıklar önce ayaklarımızın altına serilir gibi gözükebilir ama aslında hepimizin üstünde yükselerek tepemize çökebilirdi.

Aşağıya baktım. Tahtalarla zapt edilmiş, hiçbir yere gidemeyen ama her yere uzanan tren rayları. Atlayıp koşsam… Çantam çok ağırdı. Daha birkaç adım atamadan, kartal, suratını bedenime gömerdi.

“Bu sefer farklı,” diye yanıtladım onu. “Yeniden diyemezsin. Tekrarladığım bir şey değil bu. Hatta bir hata yapıyormuşum gibi tonlayamazsın da. Bu sefer, insanların hak etmediğini biliyorum.”

“O zaman daha vahim. Süzme salaksın demektir.”

“İnsanların hak etmemesi, insanlığın hak etmediği anlamına gelmez ki.”

Az önce göz göze geldiğim genççe ama çökük asker hâlâ bana bakıyordu. Bir kartalla konuştuğumu anlamamıştı şüphesiz. Yanımdakilerden biriyle konuştuğumu sanmış olmalıydı. Ama konuştuğum kişiye bakmıyordum ona göre. Çekingence kafamı eğmiştim. Bir kez daha göz göze geldiğimizde içerideki diğer iki askere bir şeyler söyledi, onlar dönüp beni süzerken dışarı çıktı.

Yanımızdaki, az önce konuşan iki adam da şaşkınlıkla bir bana bir kartala bakıyordu.

“Yalnız bu sefer kalbin de kırılacak, Prometheus,” dedi kartal, bana. “Belki son olur. Biliyorsun, bir sürü soruna neden oluyor bu yaptıkların.”

Beni koruyordu sözde. En çok kanıma dokunan buydu. Kasıklarımın üstüne oturmuş, kanlı suratının ardında gözleri parlarken attığı çığlık kulaklarımda titremeye devam ediyordu. Bu tabloda kimsenin kimseyi düşündüğü yoktu. Kartalın, yanımızdaki adamların, artık arkama kadar gelmiş olması gereken askerin, tren raylarının, geçmeyen saatlerin…

Arkamı döndüğümde, asker sahiden oradaydı. Zaten öyle olması gerekiyordu; görmüştüm bunu, biliyordum. Kehanetler… Bir şeyler söylüyordu ama ağzı oynarken sesi çıkmıyordu. Yavaşlamış, kendisini saatin akışına uydurmuştu. Havada donan tükürüğünden anlaşılıyordu, sinirliydi. Korktuğu için olduğunu biliyordum. Her seferinde korkmuşlardı. Beni unutmuş olmaları işlerini kolaylaştırmıyordu. Sadece yeni bir isim vermelerine neden oluyordu. Bu seferkiyle beni lanetleyecekleri kesinleşmişti.

Olması gerekenle olanların farklı olması ne kadar acınasıydı. Olması gerekenlerin doğasının kötücül olmasıysa bir yerde buna dayanıyordu.

“Salaksın,” dedi kartal bana. Zamanı aşan bir çığlık. Hepimizin önüne geçmişti ama kimseyi durduramıyordu.

Sonsuzluğa kaç tane iki saat sıkıştırabilirsiniz?

Ben bir tane bile sıkıştıramadım.

Çantama uzanıyordum. Asker de sırtındaki tüfeğini indiriyordu. Benim acelem yoktu, onunsa eli ayağı birbirine dolaşıyordu. Oysaki her şey tam olması gerektiği anda olacaktı. Kehanet başkasının parmaklarının ucundaydı.

Güneş, bir tüfeğin patlamasıyla yeryüzüne doğdu.

Rayların üzerine serilmiş göğsümün ortasından, bir çantanın içinden.

Not: Bu öykü ilk olarak 2021 yılında Esrarengiz Hikâyeler'de yayımlanmıştır.

@ 6389be64:ef439d32

Editing of profiles and projects seems easier and laid out better and the overall responsiveness of the website feels greatly improved.

The Analytics section tho . . . whoo doggie! What an upgrade.

Try it out at geyser.fund

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/665891

@ 3bf0c63f:aefa459d

O Planetinha

Fumaça verde me entrando pelas narinas e um coro desafinado fazia uma base melódica.

nos confins da galáxia havia um planetinha isolado. Era um planeta feliz.

O homem vestido de mago começava a aparecer por detrás da fumaça verde.

O planetinha recebeu três presentes, mas o seu habitante, o homem, estava num estado de confusão tão grande que ameaçava estragá-los. Os homens já havia escravizado o primeiro presente, a vida; lutavam contra o segundo presente, a morte; e havia alguns que achavam que deviam destruir totalmente o terceiro, o amor, e com isto levar a desordem total ao pobre planetinha perdido, que se chamava Terra.

O coro desafinado entrou antes do "Terra" cantando várias vezes, como se imitasse um eco, "terra-terra-terraaa". Depois de uma pausa dramática, o homem vestido de mago voltou a falar.

Terra, nossa nave mãe.

Neste momento eu me afastei. À frente do palco onde o mago e seu coral faziam apelos à multidão havia vários estandes cobertos com a tradicional armação de quatro pernas e lona branca. Em todos os cantos da praça havia gente, gente dos mais variados tipos. Visitantes curiosos que se aproximavam atraídos pela fumaça verde e as barraquinhas, gente que aproveitava o movimento para vender doces sem pagar imposto, casais que se abraçavam de pé para espantar o frio, os tradicionais corredores que faziam seu cooper, gente cheia de barba e vestida para imitar os hippies dos anos 60 e vender colares estendidos no chão, transeuntes novos e velhos, vestidos como baladeiros ou como ativistas do ônibus grátis, grupos de ciclistas entusiastas.

O mago fazia agora apelos para que nós, os homens, habitantes do isolado planetinha, passássemos a ver o planetinha, nossa nave mãe, como um todo, e adquiríssemos a consciência de que ele estava entrando em maus lençóis. A idéia, reforçada pela logomarca do evento, era que parássemos de olhar só para a nossa vida e pensássemos no planeta.

A logomarca do evento, um desenho estilizado do planeta Terra, nada tinha a ver com seu nome: "Festival Andando de Bem com a Vida", mas havia sido ali colocada estrategicamente pelos organizadores, de quem parecia justamente sair a mensagem dita pelo mago.

Aquela multidão de pessoas que, assim como eu, tinham suas próprias preocupações, não podiam ver o quadro caótico que formavam, cada uma com seus atos isolados, ali naquela praça isolada, naquele planeta isolado. Quando o hippie barbudo, quase um Osho, assustava um casal para tentar vender-lhes um colar, a quantidade de caos que isto acrescentava à cena era gigantesca. Por um segundo, pude ver, como se estivesse de longe e acima, com toda a pretensão que este estado imaginativo carrega, a cena completa do caos.

---

Uma nave-mãe, dessas de ficção científica, habitada por milhões de pessoas, seguia no espaço sem rumo, e sem saber que logo à frente um longo precipício espacial a esperava, para a desgraça completa sua e de seus habitantes.

Acostumados àquela nave tanto quanto outrora estiveram acostumados à sua terra natal, os homens viviam as próprias vidas sem nem se lembrar que estavam vagando pelo espaço. Ninguém sabia quem estava conduzindo a nave, e ninguém se importava.

No final do filme descobre-se que era a soma completa do caos que cada habitante produzia, com seus gestos egoístas e incapazes de levar em conta a totalidade, é que determinava a direção da nave-mãe. O efeito, no entanto, não era imediato, como nunca é. Havia gente de verdade encarregada de conduzir a nave, mas era uma gente bêbada, mau-caráter, que vivia brigando pelo controle da nave e o poder que isto lhes dava. Poder, status, dinheiro!

Essa gente bêbada era atraída até ali pela corrupção das instituições e da moral comum que, no fundo no fundo, era causada pelo egoísmo da população, através de um complexo -- mas que no filme aparece simplificado pela ação individual de um magnata do divertimento público -- processo social.

O homem vestido de mago era mais um agente causador de caos, com sua cena cheia de fumaça e sua roupa estroboscópica, ele achava que estava fazendo o bem ao alertar sua platéia, todos as sextas-feiras, de que havia algo que precisava ser feito, que cada um que estava ali ouvindo era responsável pelo planeta. A sua incapacidade, porém, de explicar o que precisava ser feito só aumentava a angústia geral; a culpa que ele jogava sobre seu público, e que era prontamente aceita e passada em frente, aos familiares e amigos de cada um, atormentava-os diariamente e os impedia de ter uma vida decente no trabalho e em casa. As famílias, estressadas, estavam constantemente brigando e os motivos mais insignificantes eram responsáveis pelas mais horrendas conseqüências.

O mago, que após o show tirava o chapéu entortado e ia tomar cerveja num boteco, era responsável por uma parcela considerável do caos que levava a nave na direção do seu desgraçado fim. No filme, porém, um dos transeuntes que de passagem ouviu um pedaço do discurso do mago despertou em si mesmo uma consiência transformadora e, com poderes sobre-humanos que lhe foram então concedidos por uma ordem iniciática do bem ou não, usando só os seus poderes humanos mesmo, o transeunte -- na primeira versão do filme um homem, na segunda uma mulher -- consegue consertar as instituições e retirar os bêbados da condução da máquina. A questão da moral pública é ignorada para abreviar a trama, já com duas horas e quarenta de duração, mas subentende-se que ela também fora resolvida.

---

No planeta Terra real, que não está indo em direção alguma, preso pela gravidade ao Sol, e onde as pessoas vivem a própria vida porque lhes é impossível viver a dos outros, não têm uma consciência global de nada porque só é possível mesmo ter a consciência delas mesmas, e onde a maioria, de uma maneira ou de outra, está tentando como pode, fazer as coisas direito, o filme é exibido.

Para a maioria dos espectadores, é um filme que evoca reflexões, um filme forte. Por um segundo elas têm o mesmo vislumbre do caos generalizado que eu tive ali naquela praça. Para uma pequena parcela dos espectadores -- entre eles alguns dos que estavam na platéia do mago, o próprio mago, o seguidor do Osho, o casal de duas mulheres e o vendedor de brigadeiros, mas aos quais se somam também críticos de televisão e jornal e gente que fala pelos cotovelos na internet -- o filme é um horror, o filme é uma vulgarização de um problema real e sério, o filme apela para a figura do herói salvador e passa uma mensagem totalmente errada, de que a maioria da população pode continuar vivendo as suas própria vidinhas miseráveis enquanto espera por um herói que vem do Olimpo e os salva da mixórdia que eles mesmos causaram, é um filme que presta um enorme desserviço à causa.

No dia seguinte ao lançamento, num bar meio caro ali perto da praça, numa mesa com oito pessoas, entre elas seis do primeiro grupo e oito do segundo, discute-se se o filme levará ou não o Oscar. Eu estou em casa dormindo e não escuto nada.

@ f977c464:32fcbe00

Kendisini aynada ilk defa gördüğü o gün, diğerleri gibi olduğunu anlamıştı. Oysaki her insan biricik olmalıydı. Sözgelimi sinirlendiğinde bir kaşı diğerinden birkaç milimetre daha az çatılabilirdi veya sevindiğinde dudağı ona has bir açıyla dalgalanabilirdi. Hatta bunların hiçbiri mümkün değilse, en azından, gözlerinin içinde sadece onun sahip olabileceği bir ışık parlayabilirdi. Çok sıradan, öyle sıradan ki kimsenin fark etmediği o milyonlarca minik şeyden herhangi biri. Ne olursa.

Ama yansımasına bakarken bunların hiçbirini bulamadı ve diğer günlerden hiç de farklı başlamamış o gün, işe gitmek için vagonunun gelmesini beklediği alelade bir metro istasyonunda, içinde kaybolduğu illüzyon dağılmaya başladı.

İlk önce derisi döküldü. Tam olarak dökülmedi aslında, daha çok kıvılcımlara dönüşüp bedeninden fırlamış ve bir an sonra sönerek külleşmiş, havada dağılmıştı. Ardında da, kaybolmadan hemen önce, kısa süre için hayal meyal görülebilen, bir ruhun yok oluşuna ağıt yakan rengârenk peri cesetleri bırakmıştı. Beklenenin aksine, havaya toz kokusu yayıldı.

Dehşete düştü elbette. Dehşete düştüler. Panikle üstlerini yırtan 50 işçi. Her şeyin sebebiyse o vagon.

Saçları da döküldü. Her tel, yere varmadan önce, her santimde ikiye ayrıla ayrıla yok oldu.

Bütün yüzeylerin mat olduğu, hiçbir şeyin yansımadığı, suyun siyah aktığı ve kendine ancak kameralarla bakabildiğin bir dünyada, vagonun içine yerleştirilmiş bir aynadan ilk defa kendini görmek.

Gözlerinin akları buharlaşıp havada dağıldı, mercekleri boşalan yeri doldurmak için eriyip yayıldı. Gerçeği görmemek için yaratılmış, bu yüzden görmeye hazır olmayan ve hiç olmayacak gözler.

Her şeyin o anda sona erdiğini sanabilirdi insan. Derin bir karanlık ve ölüm. Görmenin görmek olduğu o anın bitişi.

---

Ben geldiğimde ölmüşlerdi.

Yani bozulmuşlardı demek istiyorum.

Belleklerini yeni taşıyıcılara takmam mümkün olmadı. Fiziksel olarak kusursuz durumdaydılar, olmayanları da tamir edebilirdim ama tüm o hengamede kendilerini baştan programlamış ve girdilerini modifiye etmişlerdi.

Belleklerden birini masanın üzerinden ileriye savurdu. Hınca hınç dolu bir barda oturuyorlardı. O ve arkadaşı.

Sırf şu kendisini insan sanan androidler travma geçirip delirmesin diye neler yapıyoruz, insanın aklı almıyor.

Eliyle arkasını işaret etti.

Polislerin söylediğine göre biri vagonun içerisine ayna yerleştirmiş. Bu zavallılar da kapı açılıp bir anda yansımalarını görünce kafayı kırmışlar.

Arkadaşı bunların ona ne hissettirdiğini sordu. Yani o kadar bozuk, insan olduğunu sanan androidi kendilerini parçalamış olarak yerde görmek onu sarsmamış mıydı?

Hayır, sonuçta belirli bir amaç için yaratılmış şeyler onlar. Kaliteli bir bilgisayarım bozulduğunda üzülürüm çünkü parasını ben vermişimdir. Bunlarsa devletin. Bana ne ki?

Arkadaşı anlayışla kafasını sallayıp suyundan bir yudum aldı. Kravatını biraz gevşetti.

Bira istemediğinden emin misin?

İstemediğini söyledi. Sahi, neden deliriyordu bu androidler?

Basit. Onların yapay zekâlarını kodlarken bir şeyler yazıyorlar. Yazılımcılar. Biliyorsun, ben donanımdayım. Bunlar da kendilerini insan sanıyorlar. Tiplerine bak.

Sesini alçalttı.

Arabalarda kaza testi yapılan mankenlere benziyor hepsi. Ağızları burunları bile yok ama şu geldiğimizden beri sakalını düzeltip duruyor mesela. Hayır, hepsi de diğerleri onun sakalı varmış sanıyor, o manyak bir şey.

Arkadaşı bunun delirmeleriyle bağlantısını çözemediğini söyledi. O da normal sesiyle konuşmaya devam etti.

Anlasana, aynayı falan ayırt edemiyor mercekleri. Lönk diye kendilerini görüyorlar. Böyle, olduğu gibi...

Nedenmiş peki? Ne gerek varmış?

Ne bileyim be abicim! Ahiret soruları gibi.

Birasına bakarak dalıp gitti. Sonra masaya abanarak arkadaşına iyice yaklaştı. Bulanık, bir tünelin ucundaki biri gibi, şekli şemalı belirsiz bir adam.

Ben seni nereden tanıyorum ki ulan? Kimsin sen?

Belleği makineden çıkardılar. İki kişiydiler. Soruşturmadan sorumlu memurlar.

─ Baştan mı başlıyoruz, diye sordu belleği elinde tutan ilk memur.

─ Bir kere daha deneyelim ama bu sefer direkt aynayı sorarak başla, diye cevapladı ikinci memur.

─ Bence de. Yeterince düzgün çalışıyor.

Simülasyon yüklenirken, ayakta, biraz arkada duran ve alnını kaşıyan ikinci memur sormaktan kendisini alamadı:

─ Bu androidleri niye böyle bir olay yerine göndermişler ki? Belli tost olacakları. İsraf. Gidip biz baksak aynayı kırıp delilleri mahvetmek zorunda da kalmazlar.

Diğer memur sandalyesinde hafifçe dönecek oldu, o sırada soruyu bilgisayarın hoparlöründen teknisyen cevapladı.

Hangi işimizde bir yamukluk yok ki be abi.

---

Ama bir son değildi. Üstlerindeki tüm illüzyon dağıldığında ve çıplak, cinsiyetsiz, birbirinin aynı bedenleriyle kaldıklarında sıra dünyaya gelmişti.

Yere düştüler. Elleri -bütün bedeni gibi siyah turmalinden, boğumları çelikten- yere değdiği anda, metronun zemini dağıldı.

Yerdeki karolar öncesinde beyazdı ve çok parlaktı. Tepelerindeki floresan, ışığını olduğu gibi yansıtıyor, tek bir lekenin olmadığı ve tek bir tozun uçmadığı istasyonu aydınlatıyorlardı.

Duvarlara duyurular asılmıştı. Örneğin, yarın akşam kültür merkezinde 20.00’da başlayacak bir tekno blues festivalinin cıvıl cıvıl afişi vardı. Onun yanında daha geniş, sarı puntolu harflerle yazılmış, yatay siyah kesiklerle çerçevesi çizilmiş, bir platformdan düşen çöp adamın bulunduğu “Dikkat! Sarı bandı geçmeyin!” uyarısı. Biraz ilerisinde günlük resmi gazete, onun ilerisinde bir aksiyon filminin ve başka bir romantik komedi filminin afişleri, yapılacakların ve yapılmayacakların söylendiği küçük puntolu çeşitli duyurular... Duvar uzayıp giden bir panoydu. On, on beş metrede bir tekrarlanıyordu.

Tüm istasyonun eni yüz metre kadar. Genişliği on metre civarı.

Önlerinde, açık kapısından o mendebur aynanın gözüktüğü vagon duruyordu. Metro, istasyona sığmayacak kadar uzundu. Bir kılıcın keskinliğiyle uzanıyor ama yer yer vagonların ek yerleriyle bölünüyordu.

Hiçbir vagonda pencere olmadığı için metronun içi, içlerindekiler meçhuldü.

Sonrasında karolar zerrelerine ayrılarak yükseldi. Floresanın ışığında her yeri toza boğdular ve ortalığı gri bir sisin altına gömdüler. Çok kısa bir an. Afişleri dalgalandırmadılar. Dalgalandırmaya vakitleri olmadı. Yerlerinden söküp aldılar en fazla. Işık birkaç kere sönüp yanarak direndi. Son kez söndüğünde bir daha geri gelmedi.

Yine de etraf aydınlıktı. Kırmızı, her yere eşit dağılan soluk bir ışıkla.

Yer tamamen tele dönüşmüştü. Altında çapraz hatlarla desteklenmiş demir bir iskelet. Işık birkaç metreden daha fazla aşağıya uzanamıyordu. Sonsuzluğa giden bir uçurum.

Duvarın yerini aynı teller ve demir iskelet almıştı. Arkasında, birbirine vidalarla tutturulmuş demir plakalardan oluşan, üstünden geçen boruların ek yerlerinden bazen ince buharların çıktığı ve bir süre asılı kaldıktan sonra ağır, yağlı bir havayla sürüklendiği bir koridor.

Diğer tarafta paslanmış, pencerelerindeki camlar kırıldığı için demir plakalarla kapatılmış külüstür bir metro. Kapının karşısındaki aynadan her şey olduğu gibi yansıyordu.

---

Bir konteynırın içini andıran bir evde, gerçi gayet de birbirine eklenmiş konteynırlardan oluşan bir şehirde “andıran” demek doğru olmayacağı için düpedüz bir konteynırın içinde, masaya mum görüntüsü vermek için koyulmuş, yarı katı yağ atıklarından şekillendirilmiş kütleleri yakmayı deniyordu. Kafasında hayvan kıllarından yapılmış grili siyahlı bir peruk. Aynı kıllardan kendisine gür bir bıyık da yapmıştı.

Üstünde mavi çöp poşetlerinden yapılmış, kravatlı, şık bir takım.

Masanın ayakları yerine oradan buradan çıkmış parçalar konulmuştu: bir arabanın şaft mili, üst üste konulmuş ve üstünde yazı okunamayan tenekeler, boş kitaplar, boş gazete balyaları... Hiçbir şeye yazı yazılmıyordu, gerek yoktu da zaten çünkü merkez veri bankası onları fark ettirmeden, merceklerden giren veriyi sentezleyerek insanlar için dolduruyordu. Yani, androidler için. Farklı şekilde isimlendirmek bir fark yaratacaksa.

Onların mercekleri için değil. Bağlantıları çok önceden kopmuştu.

─ Hayatım, sofra hazır, diye bağırdı yatak odasındaki karısına.

Sofrada tabak yerine düz, bardak yerine bükülmüş, çatal ve bıçak yerine sivriltilmiş plakalar.

Karısı salonun kapısında durakladı ve ancak kulaklarına kadar uzanan, kocasınınkine benzeyen, cansız, ölü hayvanların kıllarından ibaret peruğunu eliyle düzeltti. Dudağını, daha doğrusu dudağının olması gereken yeri koyu kırmızı bir yağ tabakasıyla renklendirmeyi denemişti. Biraz da yanaklarına sürmüştü.

─ Nasıl olmuş, diye sordu.

Sesi tek düzeydi ama hafif bir neşe olduğunu hissettiğinize yemin edebilirdiniz.

Üzerinde, çöp poşetlerinin içini yazısız gazete kağıtlarıyla doldurarak yaptığı iki parça giysi.

─ Çok güzelsin, diyerek kravatını düzeltti kocası.

─ Sen de öylesin, sevgilim.

Yaklaşıp kocasını öptü. Kocası da onu. Sonra nazikçe elinden tutarak, sandalyesini geriye çekerek oturmasına yardım etti.

Sofrada yemek niyetine hiçbir şey yoktu. Gerek de yoktu zaten.

Konteynırın kapısı gürültüyle tekmelenip içeri iki memur girene kadar birbirlerine öyküler anlattılar. O gün neler yaptıklarını. İşten erken çıkıp yemyeşil çimenlerde gezdiklerini, uçurtma uçurduklarını, kadının nasıl o elbiseyi bulmak için saatlerce gezip yorulduğunu, kocasının kısa süreliğine işe dönüp nasıl başarılı bir hamleyle yaşanan krizi çözdüğünü ve kadının yanına döndükten sonra, alışveriş merkezinde oturdukları yeni dondurmacının dondurmalarının ne kadar lezzetli olduğunu, boğazlarının ağrımasından korktuklarını...

Akşam film izleyebilirlerdi, televizyonda -boş ve mat bir plaka- güzel bir film oynayacaktı.

İki memur. Çıplak bedenleriyle birbirinin aynı. Ellerindeki silahları onlara doğrultmuşlardı. Mum ışığında, tertemiz bir örtünün serili olduğu masada, bardaklarında şaraplarla oturan ve henüz sofranın ortasındaki hindiye dokunmamış çifti gördüklerinde bocaladılar.

Hiç de androidlere bilinçli olarak zarar verebilecek gibi gözükmüyorlardı.

─ Sessiz kalma hakkına sahipsiniz, diye bağırdı içeri giren ikinci memur. Söylediğiniz her şey...

Cümlesini bitiremedi. Yatak odasındaki, masanın üzerinden gördüğü o şey, onunla aynı hareketleri yapan android, yoksa, bir aynadaki yansıması mıydı?

Bütün illüzyon o anda dağılmaya başladı.

Not: Bu öykü ilk olarak 2020 yılında Esrarengiz Hikâyeler'de yayımlanmıştır.

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

Embarking on the journey of operating your own Lightning node on the Bitcoin Layer 2 network is more than just a tech-savvy endeavor; it's a step into a realm of financial autonomy and cutting-edge innovation. By running a node, you become a vital part of a revolutionary movement that's reshaping how we think about money and digital transactions. This role not only offers a unique perspective on blockchain technology but also places you at the heart of a community dedicated to decentralization and network resilience. Beyond the technicalities, it's about embracing a new era of digital finance, where you contribute directly to the network's security, efficiency, and growth, all while gaining personal satisfaction and potentially lucrative rewards.

In essence, running your own Lightning node is a powerful way to engage with the forefront of blockchain technology, assert financial independence, and contribute to a more decentralized and efficient Bitcoin network. It's an adventure that offers both personal and communal benefits, from gaining in-depth tech knowledge to earning a place in the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency.

Running your own Lightning node for the Bitcoin Layer 2 network can be an empowering and beneficial endeavor. Here are 10 reasons why you might consider taking on this task:

1. Direct Contribution to Decentralization: Operating a node is a direct action towards decentralizing the Bitcoin network, crucial for its security and resistance to control or censorship by any single entity.

2. Financial Autonomy: Owning a node gives you complete control over your financial transactions on the network, free from reliance on third-party services, which can be subject to fees, restrictions, or outages.

3. Advanced Network Participation: As a node operator, you're not just a passive participant but an active player in shaping the network, influencing its efficiency and scalability through direct involvement.

4. Potential for Higher Revenue: With strategic management and optimal channel funding, your node can become a preferred route for transactions, potentially increasing the routing fees you can earn.

5. Cutting-Edge Technological Engagement: Running a node puts you at the forefront of blockchain and bitcoin technology, offering insights into future developments and innovations.

6. Strengthened Network Security: Each new node adds to the robustness of the Bitcoin network, making it more resilient against attacks and failures, thus contributing to the overall security of the ecosystem.

7. Personalized Fee Structures: You have the flexibility to set your own fee policies, which can balance earning potential with the service you provide to the network.

8. Empowerment Through Knowledge: The process of setting up and managing a node provides deep learning opportunities, empowering you with knowledge that can be applied in various areas of blockchain and fintech.

9. Boosting Transaction Capacity: By running a node, you help to increase the overall capacity of the Lightning Network, enabling more transactions to be processed quickly and at lower costs.

10. Community Leadership and Reputation: As an active node operator, you gain recognition within the Bitcoin community, which can lead to collaborative opportunities and a position of thought leadership in the space.

These reasons demonstrate the impactful and transformative nature of running a Lightning node, appealing to those who are deeply invested in the principles of bitcoin and wish to actively shape its future. Jump aboard, and embrace the journey toward full independence. 🐶🐾🫡🚀🚀🚀

@ d830ee7b:4e61cd62

เรื่องราวของ Didier Somnuke บิตคอยเนอร์ชาวไทย และเส้นทางการเดินทางของเขาในโลก Bitcoin

บทความต้นฉบับโดย Win Ko Ko Aung

"An Untold Story of Bitcoin in Thailand -The story of Didier Somnuke, a Thai Bitcoiner, and his journey through Bitcoin."

27 สิงหาคม 2024 / เผยแพร่บนเว็บไซต์ Bitcoin Magazine

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ในแวดวง Bitcoin ทั่วโลกที่กำลังเติบโตอย่างรวดเร็ว มักจะมีอคติจากชาติตะวันตกครอบงำเรื่องเล่าต่างๆ ทำให้มองข้ามเรื่องราวอันหลากหลายจากทั่วทุกมุมโลก

หนึ่งในเรื่องราวเหล่านั้นคือเรื่องของ Didier Somnuke เจ้าของธุรกิจขนาดเล็กในใจกลางกรุงเทพฯ เมืองที่ขึ้นชื่อเรื่องการต้อนรับนักท่องเที่ยวต่างชาติถึง 22.8 ล้านคนในปี 2023 แซงหน้าเมืองใหญ่ๆ อย่างปารีส ลอนดอน และนิวยอร์ก

แม้ว่าประเทศไทยจะประสบปัญหาหนี้ครัวเรือนพุ่งสูงถึง 16.37 ล้านล้านบาท (463 พันล้านดอลลาร์สหรัฐ) หรือ 90.8% ของ GDP เพิ่มขึ้นจากไม่ถึง 14 ล้านล้านบาทในปี 2019

Didier Somnuke เกิดในจังหวัดยะลา ที่ซึ่งความขัดแย้งทางภูมิรัฐศาสตร์เป็นความจริงอันโหดร้าย ภาคใต้ของไทยเป็นหนึ่งในพื้นที่ที่ยากจนที่สุดของประเทศ โดยมีอัตราความยากจนอยู่ที่ 34% เทียบกับค่าเฉลี่ยของประเทศที่ 6% อ้างอิงจากข้อมูลของธนาคารโลก

ยะลาต้องเผชิญกับความไม่สงบมาอย่างยาวนาน นับตั้งแต่ปี 2004 ความรุนแรงนี้คร่าชีวิตผู้คนไปกว่า 7,000 คน และมีผู้ได้รับบาดเจ็บอีก 13,500 คน

ดังคำกล่าวของคนไทยที่ว่า "ทวงสิทธิ์ที่จะมีชีวิตที่ดีกลับคืนมา"

ในปี 2012 Didier ตัดสินใจอำลาบ้านเกิดที่เต็มไปด้วยความขัดแย้ง มุ่งหน้าสู่กรุงเทพฯ โดยหวังว่าการศึกษาจะเป็นแสงสว่างนำทางไปสู่ชีวิตที่ดีกว่า

ในเวลานั้น Bitcoin และแนวคิดทางการเงินยังเป็นเรื่องไกลตัวสำหรับ Didier เขาใช้ชีวิตอย่างคุ้นเคยบนท้องถนนที่คึกคักของกรุงเทพฯ สำเร็จการศึกษาระดับปริญญาโท และเข้าสู่โลกแห่งการทำงานประจำ สำหรับคนที่ย้ายถิ่นฐานมาจากต่างจังหวัด นี่ถือเป็นความสำเร็จครั้งสำคัญ

Didier นึกถึงคำพูดของอาจารย์ที่เคยสอนว่า "เมื่อคุณแก่ตัวลง คุณจะมีเวลาและเงิน แต่คุณจะไม่มีแรงที่จะเริ่มต้นธุรกิจ ถ้าอยากทำอะไร ก็จงลงมือทำซะ" ด้วยคำแนะนำนี้ Didier จึงลาออกจากงานประจำที่แสนน่าเบื่อหลังจากผ่านไปเพียงหนึ่งปี และเริ่มต้นบทใหม่ของชีวิต

Didier ยืมเงิน 50,000 บาท (ประมาณ 1,500 ดอลลาร์สหรัฐ) จากพี่ชาย เพื่อเปิดร้านขายเบอร์เกอร์ข้างทาง เขาเลือกที่จะเริ่มต้นธุรกิจเบอร์เกอร์เพราะคิดว่ามันง่าย และใช้เงินลงทุนไม่มาก

ด้วยความทะเยอทะยาน และแรงบันดาลใจจากพลังงานอันพลุ่งพล่านของกรุงเทพฯ เมืองที่ไม่เคยหลับใหล เขาใช้เวลาประมาณหนึ่งปีในการพัฒนาสูตร และเริ่มต้นธุรกิจในปี 2015

ในช่วงสามถึงสี่ปีแรก เขาบริหารจัดการทุกอย่างด้วยตัวเองในฐานะผู้ประกอบการรายย่อย และรายได้ของเขาก็ต่ำกว่าเงินเดือนที่เคยได้รับจากงานประจำ หลายครั้งที่เขาสงสัยว่าตัวเองตัดสินใจผิดหรือไม่ ที่ลาออกจากงานมาทำธุรกิจที่สร้างรายได้น้อยกว่า

อย่างไรก็ตาม หลังจากผ่านไปห้าปี ทุกอย่างก็เริ่มดีขึ้น ยอดขายของร้านเริ่มเพิ่มขึ้น และ Didier ก็เริ่มจ้างพนักงาน

เขาสารภาพว่า "ผมเข้าสู่ตลาดคริปโทด้วยความโลภ สิ่งที่ผมต้องการคือรวยเร็ว"

ในปี 2017 เขาและเพื่อนๆ ได้รวบรวมเงินกันซื้อเครื่องขุด ASIC สามเครื่องจาก Bitmain เพื่อลองขุด Bitcoin และ Altcoins เช่น Litecoin และ Dogecoin พวกเขาได้รับผลตอบแทนจากการลงทุนภายในหกเดือน

Didier ซื้อ Bitcoin ครั้งแรกในต้นปี 2017 เพื่อซื้อเครื่องขุด ASIC เหล่านั้น แต่เขาไม่รู้วิธีโอน Bitcoin จึงต้องใช้การโอนเงินผ่านธนาคารแทน

เมื่อนึกย้อนกลับไปถึงประสบการณ์ในช่วงแรกๆ เขาเล่าว่า..

"Bitcoin ก้อนแรกของผมค่อยๆ ถูกเปลี่ยนเป็น Shitcoins ในช่วงตลาดกระทิง ผมโชคดีมาก ผมได้กำไร 100% เกือบทันทีที่ซื้ออะไรก็ตาม"

แม้จะไม่มีความรู้เรื่องคริปโทเคอร์เรนซีเลย แต่เขาก็เริ่มมั่นใจในตัวเอง และกลายเป็น "Super Shitcoiner" โดยไม่สนใจ Bitcoin มากนัก

กลางปี 2017 เขาได้เรียนรู้เกี่ยวกับ Leverage และการเทรด กำไรของเขาพุ่งสูงขึ้นอย่างรวดเร็ว แต่โชคก็ไม่ได้เข้าข้างเขาไปตลอด

ต้นปี 2018 ตลาด Crash เขาขาดทุนกว่า 1 ล้านบาท (เกือบ 30,000 ดอลลาร์สหรัฐ) ในขณะที่เงินทุนเริ่มต้นของเขาอยู่ที่ประมาณ 100,000 บาท (ประมาณ 3,000 ดอลลาร์สหรัฐ) เท่านั้น ไม่เพียงเท่านั้น เขายังสูญเสีย Shitcoins ทั้งหมดจาก Mining Pool ที่เขาฝากไว้

อยู่มาวันหนึ่ง เมื่อเขาตรวจสอบบัญชี Shitcoins ทั้งหมดที่เขามีมูลค่า 10,000 ดอลลาร์สหรัฐก็หายไป ประกาศบนเว็บไซต์ Mining Pool ที่ชื่อว่า "Hash-to-Coin" ระบุว่า หากเก็บเหรียญไว้กับพวกเขานานกว่าสามเดือน จะถือว่าเป็นการบริจาค

เขาพูดด้วยความผิดหวังว่า "ผมสูญเสียทุกอย่าง" แต่ไม่เหมือนคนส่วนใหญ่ "ผมไม่ได้โทษ Bitcoin ผมยังคงมองว่ามันคืออนาคต ผมโทษตัวเอง ผมไม่รู้อะไรเลย และผมใช้ Leverage มากเกินไป"

เขาเน้นย้ำว่า แม้จะประสบกับความสูญเสียทางการเงินอย่างหนัก แต่แฟนสาวของเขาก็ไม่ได้ทิ้งเขาไป..

"แฟนผมเป็นลูกค้าประจำ เธอมาซื้อเบอร์เกอร์เป็นประจำ ผมเจอเธอตอนที่ผมกำลังลำบากทางการเงิน ในช่วงแรกๆ ที่เป็นผู้ประกอบการ เธอสนับสนุนผม และบอกว่าเราสามารถหาเงินคืนได้"

ด้วยความมุ่งมั่นที่จะพลิกสถานการณ์ เขาได้ค้นพบคุณพิริยะบน YouTube และเริ่มติดตาม Live Stream เกี่ยวกับ Bitcoin อย่างจริงจัง นี่คือจุดเริ่มต้นที่ทำให้เขาเข้าใจอย่างแท้จริงว่า Bitcoin และคริปโทเคอร์เรนซีคืออะไร

ด้วยความรู้ใหม่นี้ เขาเริ่มมอง Bitcoin เป็นเทคโนโลยีสำหรับการออม มากกว่าเครื่องมือในการเทรด

หลังจากนั้นสามปี Didier ก็สามารถกู้คืนจากความสูญเสีย และกลับมาแข็งแกร่งยิ่งกว่าเดิม เขากลายเป็นเพื่อนกับคุณพิริยะ และร่วมกันก่อตั้งบริษัท Right Shift เพื่อสร้างสรรค์เนื้อหาเกี่ยวกับ Bitcoin ในรูปแบบภาษาไทยผ่านช่องทางโซเชียลมีเดียต่างๆ รวมถึง Nostr โดยใช้แฮชแท็กยอดนิยมอย่าง #siamstr

พวกเขาร่วมกันแปลหนังสือ "The Bitcoin Standard" และ "The Fiat Standard" เป็นภาษาไทย ซึ่งกลายเป็นหนังสือขายดีในประเทศไทย พวกเขาจัดงาน Bitcoin Thailand Conference ครั้งแรกในปี 2023 และกำลังเตรียมจัดงานครั้งต่อไปในเดือนกันยายน 2024

ปัจจุบัน Didier รับชำระเงินด้วย Bitcoin ในร้านเบอร์เกอร์หลักของเขา ซึ่งเป็นหนึ่งในสี่สาขา

เขาใช้ Wallet of Satoshi ในการรับชำระเงิน ภายในหนึ่งปีหลังจากเริ่มต้นโครงการนี้ เขารับชำระเงินด้วย Bitcoin ไปแล้วกว่า 3 ล้าน Sats แม้ว่าในตอนแรกเขาคาดหวังว่าจะมีธุรกรรม Bitcoin มากกว่านี้

ในตลาดที่เขาขายของ บางครั้งเจ้าของธุรกิจขนาดเล็กข้างๆ ก็ถามเขาเกี่ยวกับ Bitcoin เพราะเห็นโปสเตอร์ Bitcoin ขนาดใหญ่ในร้านของเขา แต่พวกเขามักจะหมดความสนใจเมื่อ Didier อธิบาย

จากประสบการณ์ที่ไม่ประสบความสำเร็จหลายครั้ง ตอนนี้เขาจึงมุ่งเน้นไปที่การให้ความรู้ทางออนไลน์ ซึ่งเขาสามารถเข้าถึงผู้คนที่พร้อมจะเปิดรับนวัตกรรมได้มากกว่า

ในปี 2022 มีคนไทยประมาณ 8.4 ล้านคน คิดเป็น 12% ของประชากร ที่ใช้คริปโทเคอร์เรนซี มีการคาดการณ์ว่าภายในปี 2028 จำนวนนี้จะเพิ่มขึ้นเป็นประมาณ 17.67 ล้านคน คิดเป็น 25% ของประชากร

ระหว่างการสนทนาของเรา Didier อ้างว่ามีผู้ใช้ Bitcoin ในประเทศไทยประมาณ 50,000 คน และคาดการณ์ว่ารัฐบาลไทยอาจเข้ามายุ่งเกี่ยวกับการใช้งาน Bitcoin เช่น การบังคับใช้ KYC Wallet เพราะพวกเขาไม่ชอบระบบการเงินที่ควบคุมไม่ได้

ในกรณีที่เลวร้ายที่สุด Didier ยังคงยืนกรานว่า เขาจะยังคงสนับสนุน Bitcoin ต่อไปกับเพื่อนๆ ของเขา

"มันไม่ใช่ทางเลือก" เขายืนยัน "แต่มันคือทางรอดเดียว"

@ de496884:72617b81

Hola nostriches. Hoy quiero hacer una publicación a modo de acercamiento al surgimiento de las categorías de género y feminismo. Así que si te interesa el tema haz un esfuerzo, quédate y lee hasta el final.

El «nuevo» feminismo surge en los años 60 en aquellos países desarrollados que acordaron el reconocimiento a los derechos humanos contenidos en la declaración respectiva de la ONU. Entonces, como extensión a dicho reconocimiento es que se gesta el movimiento feminista. A partir de entonces, se vuelve a plantear la relación entre naturaleza y cultura y se llega a la conclusión de que las diferencias sociales van más allá de las diferencias biológicas, lo cual tiene que ver con que hasta la satisfacción de las necesidades elementales como son la alimentación, la vivienda o el vestuario, están condicionadas por construcciones sociales.

Pues resulta que una de las primeras propuestas identificó la subordinación femenina producto de una organización patriarcal, tomando la categoría patriarcado de Max Weber. Es así como la visión de patriarcado se extendió al discurso político y académico. Sin embargo, no existía información acerca del desarrollo histórico de dicha categoría, sistematización, variaciones, etc., debido a que era algo que recién se percibía en sociedad.

Sin embargo, la misma categoría de patriarcado junto a la de relaciones de poder para explicar fenómenos sociales contemporáneos, constituye uno de los principales aportes del feminismo. Es así como han logrado primero visibilizar y luego deconstruir y desmontar una serie de patrones existentes en la cultura que hacían a la mujer subordinarse al hombre, y que estaban presentes en el sistema sexo/género.

Imagen relativa a la lucha contra el patriarcado

Hasta ese momento, en las investigaciones de corte sociológico se podía observar un androcentrismo excesivo al dar cuenta de que el discurso científico giraba en torno al hombre como sujeto y objeto de la investigación. Incluso para muchos positivistas como el mismo Weber, los problemas relativos a las mujeres quedaban en un segundo plano y eran achacados a una supuesta pasividad en el ámbito doméstico-familiar. Dicha pasividad partía de la supuesta inferioridad biológica del género femenino.

El patriarcado entonces era una categoría vacía en sí misma, sin valor explicativo. Desde el punto de vista político pudo ser útil para la movilización pero no resistió la polémica de los críticos del feminismo ni problematizó los conflictos a ser resueltos. Pero por otro lado, un grupo de mujeres -académicas principalmente- se puso manos a la obra en una tarea más pequeña pero con mayores resultados a la larga. Se propusieron generar conocimientos sobre las condiciones de vida de la mujer, buscar en el pasado y el presente los aportes de las mujeres a la sociedad, hacerlas visibles en la historia. Es así como surgen centros académicos, ONG, proyectos, centros de estudios sobre la mujer, etc.

Convendría distinguir entonces dos posturas que acompañaron a la investigación sobre las mujeres: uno que toma como objeto de estudio a la mujer; condiciones de vida, trabajo, cultura, y otra que privilegia a la sociedad como generadora de la subordinación de las mujeres. Mientras la primera perspectiva generaba conocimiento sobre las mujeres en el estudio de las relaciones mujer-hombre y mujer-mujer, la segunda tenía una visión más holística ya que planteaba que hay que estudiar la sociedad ya que la subordinación de las mujeres es producto de la organización de esta, y que no se avanzará solamente estudiando a las mujeres, pues el estudio debe ser más amplio y en diferentes niveles, ámbitos y tiempos.

Es en esta búsqueda donde nace y se desarrolla el concepto de género como categoría social. Es así que los sistemas de género/sexo fueron entendidos como conjuntos de prácticas, símbolos, representaciones, normas y valores sociales que las sociedades construyen a partir de la diferencia anatomofisiológica y que dotan de sentido a los impulsos sexuales, la reproducción y en general a las relaciones de las personas. Por tanto, este sistema pasó a ser el objeto de estudio para comprender la subordinación de la mujer al hombre. Al ser el reconocimiento de una dimensión de la desigualdad social hasta entonces desconocida, se considera la ruptura epistemológica más importante de la segunda mitad del siglo pasado.

Imagen representativa del binarismo de género

Hay que decir que los fenómenos sociales se definen por la relación que guardan entre sí. Es así que la contextualización adquiere gran importancia. Varones y hembras tenemos la capacidad de producir con el cuerpo, pero solo los cuerpos de las hembras pueden gestar y por tanto asegurar la especie humana. Todo grupo humano que pretenda sobrevivir debe asegurarse cierto número de hembras que lo hagan posible. De ahí un poder particular del cuerpo de las hembras que además es económicamente útil. Dicho poder no es en tanto entidad biológica, sino que es la sociedad la que le otorga este poder. En este punto es importante preguntarnos históricamente ¿quiénes han controlado la capacidad reproductiva de las mujeres?, ¿quiénes han tenido la preferencia en el acceso sexual? Para asegurar un control efectivo sobre la reproducción es necesario asegurar el acceso a la sexualidad.

Imagen alegórica al embarazo

Ello también lleva a dirigir el trabajo que hacen porque de lo contrario, las mujeres pudieran tener espacio para representar una amenaza al dominio de los hombres. Es importante atender a las etapas del desarrollo de las mujeres, que permitirá ver cómo se moldean para aceptar la desigualdad y las jerarquías según el género en las distintas sociedades y culturas.

Otro contexto a delimitar es el ámbito doméstico donde históricamente ha estado ubicada la subordinación femenina. Se ha puesto al descubierto que en mujeres que comparten la misma posición de clase y raza, la condición femenina se redefine a lo largo de la vida y que algunas mujeres gozan de poder sobre otras aún en contextos de alta dominación masculina, donde se les inviste de autoridad, creando el sistema zonas de incertidumbre que las divide como género e impide alianzas y se legitima la dominación. Foucault decía que «el poder se ejerce, no se posee», siempre está en peligro de perderse y no basta con normas, leyes, amenazas o castigos. De ahí que los espacios de subordinación sean también espacios de poder de las mujeres. Es en estos espacios donde aparece la inseguridad, la tensión, la confrontación y por ejemplo, las mujeres pueden reclamar la anticoncepción.

Para terminar, es importante tener en cuenta que el género es una forma de desigualdad social que siempre está articulado con otras formas de desigualdad ya sea clase, raza, grupo etario, etc. Hay que pensar la dominación masculina con un comienzo vago en el tiempo, pero que permite desligar la subordinación de las mujeres de la evolución «natural» de la humanidad y entenderla como un proceso histórico. En ese sentido es necesario destacar que, respecto a la raza, en sociedades plurales hay que atender al contexto étnico-cultural ya que en dependencia de las relaciones entre personas de razas distintas, estarán condicionadas las relaciones entre los géneros.

Imagen de mujeres de distintas razas

Por otro lado, si bien es sabido que históricamente el sistema de género social imperante ha contribuido a invisibilizar a la mujer, asociar necesariamente dicha categoría únicamente a ella, lo que hace es nuevamente recrear el absolutismo histórico que tanto daño ha hecho, ahora como lo antagónico al hombre. En la construcción social participan todos los individuos presentes en el sistema género.

Hasta aquí la publicación de hoy, de la cual aun se puede ahondar mucho más, sobre todo en lo referido al origen de la dominación o de la jerarquización del binomio «hombre/mujer» desde un punto de vista antropológico, pero eso quedará pendiente para otro momento. ¡Así que hasta la próxima!, ¡nos vemos en Nostr!

........................................

English version

Hello nostriches. Today I want to make a post by way of an approach to the emergence of the categories of gender and feminism. So if you are interested in the topic make an effort, stay and read to the end.

The "new" feminism emerged in the 60's in those developed countries that agreed to recognize the human rights contained in the respective UN declaration. Then, as an extension of that recognition, the feminist movement was born. From then on, the relationship between nature and culture was raised again and the conclusion was reached that social differences go beyond biological differences, which has to do with the fact that even the satisfaction of elementary needs such as food, housing or clothing are conditioned by social constructions.

It turns out that one of the first proposals identified female subordination as a product of a patriarchal organization, taking Max Weber's category of patriarchy. This is how the vision of patriarchy was extended to political and academic discourse. However, there was no information about the historical development of this category, systematization, variations, etc., because it was something that was only recently perceived in society.

However, the same category of patriarchy, together with that of power relations to explain contemporary social phenomena, constitutes one of the main contributions of feminism. This is how they have first made visible and then deconstructed and dismantled a series of existing patterns in the culture that made women subordinate to men, and that were present in the sex/gender system.

Image relating to the fight against patriarchy

Up to that time, in sociological research, an excessive androcentrism could be observed as scientific discourse revolved around men as the subject and object of research. Even for many positivists such as Weber himself, the problems related to women remained in the background and were blamed on a supposed passivity in the domestic-family sphere. This passivity was based on the supposed biological inferiority of the female gender.

Patriarchy was then an empty category in itself, with no explanatory value. From the political point of view, it could be useful for mobilization, but it did not resist the polemic of feminism's critics, nor did it problematize the conflicts to be resolved. But on the other hand, a group of women - mainly academics - set to work on a smaller task but with greater results in the long run. They set out to generate knowledge about women's living conditions, to search in the past and present for women's contributions to society, to make them visible in history. This is how academic centers, NGOs, projects, women's studies centers, etc., came into being.

It would be convenient to distinguish then two postures that accompanied the research on women: one that takes women as the object of study; living conditions, work, culture, and the other that privileges society as the generator of women's subordination. While the first perspective generated knowledge about women in the study of woman-man and woman-woman relations, the second had a more holistic vision, since it proposed that society must be studied, since the subordination of women is a product of its organization, and that progress will not be made only by studying women, since the study must be broader and at different levels, spheres and times.

It is in this search that the concept of gender as a social category was born and developed. Thus, gender/sex systems were understood as a set of practices, symbols, representations, norms and social values that societies construct on the basis of anatomophysiological differences and that give meaning to sexual impulses, reproduction and, in general, to people's relationships. Therefore, this system became the object of study to understand the subordination of women to men. As the recognition of a hitherto unknown dimension of social inequality, it is considered the most important epistemological breakthrough of the second half of the last century.

Representative image of gender binarism

It must be said that social phenomena are defined by their relationship with each other. Thus, contextualization acquires great importance. Males and females have the capacity to produce with their bodies, but only the bodies of females can gestate and therefore ensure the human species. Any human group that intends to survive must ensure a certain number of females to make it possible. Hence a particular power of the female body, which is also economically useful. This power is not as a biological entity, but it is society that gives it this power. At this point it is important to ask ourselves historically, who has controlled the reproductive capacity of women, who has had the preference in sexual access? To ensure effective control over reproduction, it is necessary to ensure access to sexuality.

Allegorical image of pregnancy

This also leads to directing the work they do because otherwise, women may have room to pose a threat to men's dominance. It is important to pay attention to the stages of women's development, which will allow us to see how they are shaped to accept inequality and gender hierarchies in different societies and cultures.

Another context to delimit is the domestic sphere where female subordination has historically been located. It has been discovered that in women who share the same class and race position, the feminine condition is redefined throughout life and that some women enjoy power over others even in contexts of high male domination, where they are invested with authority, creating the system of uncertainty zones that divide them as a gender and prevent alliances and legitimize domination. Foucault said that "power is exercised, not possessed", it is always in danger of being lost and norms, laws, threats or punishments are not enough. Hence, the spaces of subordination are also spaces of women's power. It is in these spaces where insecurity, tension, confrontation appear and where, for example, women can demand contraception.

To conclude, it is important to keep in mind that gender is a form of social inequality that is always articulated with other forms of inequality, be it class, race, age group, etc. It is necessary to think of male domination with a vague beginning in time, but which allows us to separate the subordination of women from the "natural" evolution of humanity and to understand it as a historical process. In this sense, it is necessary to emphasize that, with respect to race, in plural societies it is necessary to pay attention to the ethno-cultural context since, depending on the relations between people of different races, the relations between genders will be conditioned.

Image of women of different races

On the other hand, although it is known that historically the prevailing social gender system has contributed to make women invisible, to necessarily associate this category only to women is to recreate the historical absolutism that has done so much damage, this time as antagonistic to men. All individuals present in the gender system participate in the social construction.

So much for today's publication, of which we can still go much deeper, especially with regard to the origin of domination or the hierarchization of the binomial "man/woman" from an anthropological point of view, but that will be left for another time. So until next time, see you in Nostr!

Créditos | Credits

Bibliografía consultada | Consulted bibliography:

1. Barbieri, T. (1993). Sobre la categoría género. Una introducción teórico-metodológica. Debates en Sociología. (18). 1-19. https://doi.org/10.18800/debatesensociologia.199301.006

2. Echevarría, D. (2020). Desigualdades de género e interseccionalidad. Análisis del contexto cubano 2008-2018. Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (Programa-Cuba). https://www.clacso.org.ar/libreria-latinoamericana-cm/libro_detalle_resultado.php?id_libro=2346&campo=cm&texto=248

Traducción | Translation:

DeepL

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

Chef's notes

Serving these two dishes together will create a delightful centerpiece for your Thanksgiving meal, offering a perfect blend of traditional flavors with a homemade touch.

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 30 min
• 🍳 Cook time: 1 - 2 hours
• 🍽️ Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1 whole turkey (about 12-14 lbs), thawed and ready to cook
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 lemon, halved
• 2-3 cloves of garlic
• Apple and Sage Stuffing
• 1 loaf of crusty bread, cut into cubes
• 2 apples, cored and chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh sage, chopped
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Prepare the Herb Butter: Mix the softened butter with the chopped thyme, rosemary, and sage. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Prepare the Turkey: Remove any giblets from the turkey and pat it dry. Loosen the skin and spread a generous amount of herb butter under and over the skin.
4. Add Aromatics: Inside the turkey cavity, place the quartered onion, lemon halves, and garlic cloves.
5. Roast: Place the turkey in a roasting pan. Tent with aluminum foil and roast. A general guideline is about 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the thigh.
6. Rest and Serve: Let the turkey rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.
7. Next: Apple and Sage Stuffing
8. Dry the Bread: Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and let them dry overnight, or toast them in the oven.
9. Cook the Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter and cook the onion, celery, and garlic until soft.
10. Combine Ingredients: Add the apples, sage, and bread cubes to the skillet. Stir in the chicken broth until the mixture is moist. Season with salt and pepper.
11. Bake: Transfer the stuffing to a baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-40 minutes, until golden brown on top.

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

Testing a brand new YakiHonne native client for iOS. Smooth as butter (not penis butter 🤣🍆🧈) with great visual experience and intuitive navigation. Amazing work by the team behind it! * lists * work

Bold text work!

Images could have used nostr.build instead of raw S3 from us-east-1 region.

Very impressive! You can even save the draft and continue later, before posting the long-form note!

🐶🐾🤯🤯🤯🫂💜

@ 42342239:1d80db24

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

-- Juvenal (Who will watch the watchmen?)

In mid-July, numerous media outlets reported on the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. FBI Director Christopher Wray stated later that same month that what hit the former president Trump was a bullet. A few days later, it was reported from various sources that search engines no longer acknowledged that an assassination attempt on ex-President Trump had taken place. When users used automatic completion in Google and Bing (91% respectively 4% market share), these search engines only suggested earlier presidents such as Harry Truman and Theodore Roosevelt, along with Russian President Vladimir Putin as people who could have been subjected to assassination attempts.

The reports were comprehensive enough for the Republican district attorney of Missouri to say that he would investigate matter. The senator from Kansas - also a Republican - planned to make an official request to Google. Google has responded through a spokesman to the New York Post that the company had not "manually changed" search results, but its system includes "protection" against search results "connected to political violence."

A similar phenomenon occurred during the 2016 presidential election. At the time, reports emerged of Google, unlike other less widely used search engines, rarely or never suggesting negative search results for Hillary Clinton. The company however provided negative search results for then-candidate Trump. Then, as today, the company denied deliberately favouring any specific political candidate.

These occurrences led to research on how such search suggestions can influence public opinion and voting preferences. For example, the impact of simply removing negative search suggestions has been investigated. A study published in June 2024 reports that such search results can dramatically affect undecided voters. Reducing negative search suggestions can turn a 50/50 split into a 90/10 split in favour of the candidate for whom negative search suggestions were suppressed. The researchers concluded that search suggestions can have "a dramatic impact," that this can "shift a large number of votes" and do so without leaving "any trace for authorities to follow." How search engines operate should therefore be considered of great importance by anyone who claims to take democracy seriously. And this regardless of one's political sympathies.

A well-known thought experiment in philosophy asks: "If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound?" Translated to today's media landscape: If an assassination attempt took place on a former president, but search engines don't want to acknowledge it, did it really happen?

@ fa0165a0:03397073

I just tested building a browser plugin, it was easier than I thought. Here I'll walk you through the steps of creating a minimal working example of a browser plugin, a.k.a. the "Hello World" of browser plugins.

First of all there are two main browser platforms out there, Chromium and Mozilla. They do some things a little differently, but similar enough that we can build a plugin that works on both. This plugin will work in both, I'll describe the firefox version, but the chromium version is very similar.

What is a browser plugin?

Simply put, a browser plugin is a program that runs in the browser. It can do things like modify the content of a webpage, or add new functionality to the browser. It's a way to extend the browser with custom functionality. Common examples are ad blockers, password managers, and video downloaders.

In technical terms, they are plugins that can insert html-css-js into your browser experience.

How to build a browser plugin

Step 0: Basics

You'll need a computer, a text editor and a browser. For testing and development I personally think that the firefox developer edition is the easiest to work with. But any Chrome based browser will also do.

Create a working directory on your computer, name it anything you like. I'll call mine hello-world-browser-plugin. Open the directory and create a file called manifest.json. This is the most important file of your plugin, and it must be named exactly right.

Step 1: manifest.json

After creation open your file manifest.json in your text editor and paste the following code:

json { "manifest_version": 3, "name": "Hello World", "version": "1.0", "description": "A simple 'Hello World' browser extension", "content_scripts": [ { "matches": ["<all_urls>"], "js": ["hello.js"] //The name of your script file. // "css": ["hello.css"] //The name of your css file. } ] }

If you wonder what the json file format is, it's a normal text file with a special syntax such that a computer can easily read it. It's the json syntax you see in the code above. Let's go through what's being said here. (If you are not interested, just skip to the next step after pasting this we are done here.)

• manifest_version: This is the version of the manifest file format. It's currently at version 3, and it's the latest version. It's important that you set this to 3, otherwise your plugin won't work.
• name: This is the name of your plugin. It can be anything you like.
• version: This is the version of your plugin. It can be anything you like.
• description: This is the description of your plugin. It can be anything you like.
• content_scripts: This is where you define what your plugin does. It's a list of scripts that will be executed when the browser loads a webpage. In this case we have one script, called hello.js. It's the script that we'll create in the next step.
• matches: This is a list of urls that the script will be executed on. In this case we have <all_urls>, which means that the script will be executed on all urls. You can also specify a specific url, like https://brave.com/*, which means that the script will only be executed on urls that start with https://brave.com/.
• js: This is a list of javascript files that will be executed. In this case we have one file, called hello.js. It's the script that we'll create in the next step.
• css: This is where you can add a list of css files that will be executed. In this case we have none, but you can add css files here if you want to.
• //: Text following these two characters are comments. They are ignored by the computer, You can add comments anywhere you like, and they are a good way to document your code.

Step 2: hello.js

Now it's time to create another file in your project folder. This time we'll call it hello.js. When created, open it in your text editor and paste the following code:

js console.log("Hello World!"); That's javascript code, and it's what will be executed when you run your plugin. It's a simple console.log statement, which will print the text "Hello World!" to the console. The console is a place where the browser prints out messages, and it's a good place to start when debugging your plugin.

Step 3: Load and launch your plugin

Firefox

Now it's time to load your plugin into your browser. Open your browser and go to the url about:debugging#/runtime/this-firefox. You should see a page that looks something like this:

Click the button that says "Load Temporary Add-on...". A file dialog will open, navigate to your project folder and select the file manifest.json. Your plugin should now be loaded and running.

Go to a website, any website, and open the inspector then navigate to the console. You'll find the inspector by right-clicking anywhere within the webpage, and click "Inspector" in the drop-down menu. When opening the console you might see some log messages from the site you visited and... you should see the text "Hello World!" printed there, from our little plugin! Congratulations!

Chrome

Open your browser and go to the url chrome://extensions/. Click the button that says "Load unpacked". A file dialog will open, navigate to your project folder and select the folder hello-world-browser-plugin. Your plugin should now be loaded and running.

Note the difference, of selecting the file manifest.json in firefox, and selecting the folder hello-world-browser-plugin in chrome. Otherwise, the process is the same. So I'll repeat the same text as above: (for those who skipped ahead..)

Go to a website, any website, and open the inspector then navigate to the console. You'll find the inspector by right-clicking anywhere within the webpage, and click "Inspector" in the drop-down menu. When opening the console you might see some log messages from the site you visited and... you should see the text "Hello World!" printed there, from our little plugin! Congratulations!

---

As you can see this isn't as complicated as one might think. Having preformed a "Hello-World!"-project is a very useful and valuable first step. These setup steps are the basics for any browser plugin, and you can build on this to create more advanced plugins.

@ d830ee7b:4e61cd62

ในโลกที่ Bitcoin เติบโตอย่างก้าวกระโดด ความต้องการในการทำธุรกรรมที่รวดเร็ว ปลอดภัย และเป็นส่วนตัว ก็เพิ่มสูงขึ้นตามไปด้วย

Lightning Network ได้เข้ามาช่วยแก้ปัญหา Scalability ของ Bitcoin ได้ในระดับหนึ่ง แต่ก็ยังมีข้อจำกัด เช่น ความซับซ้อนในการใช้งาน และความจำเป็นในการบริหารจัดการสภาพคล่อง

ในปี 2023 Burak Keceli นักพัฒนา Bitcoin ผู้มากประสบการณ์ ได้เปิดตัว Ark Protocol ซึ่งเป็นเลเยอร์ 2 โปรโตคอล ที่เสนอแนวทางใหม่ในการทำธุรกรรม Bitcoin

โดย Ark มาพร้อมกับแนวคิดที่ล้ำสมัย และกลไกการทำงานที่แตกต่างไปจาก Lightning Network

บทความนี้จะพาพวกเราไปทำความรู้จักกับ Ark Protocol กันเบื้องต้น ตั้งแต่หลักการทำงานของเทคโนโลยีนี้ ข้อดี-ข้อเสีย การเปรียบเทียบกับ Lightning Network และเทคโนโลยีอื่นๆ ไปจนถึงอนาคตของ Ark ในฐานะเลเยอร์ 2 ทางเลือกใหม่

🤔 Ark Protocol คืออะไร?

Ark Protocol คือ เลเยอร์ 2 โปรโตคอล ที่สร้างขึ้นบนบล็อกเชน Bitcoin โดยมีเป้าหมายเพื่อเพิ่มความสามารถในการขยายขนาด (Scalability) ยกระดับความเป็นส่วนตัว (Privacy) และมอบประสบการณ์การใช้งานที่ราบรื่นยิ่งขึ้น

Ark ทำงานโดยใช้แนวคิด Virtual UTXO (vUTXO) และ Covenant ในการทำธุรกรรมนอกบล็อกเชน (Off-Chain)

โดยอ้างว่าสามารถทำธุรกรรมได้รวดเร็ว ราวกับส่งข้อความ ค่าธรรมเนียมต่ำจนแทบไม่รู้สึก และมีความเป็นส่วนตัวสูง ปกป้องข้อมูลธุรกรรมจากสายตาคนอื่น

📌 vUTXO เหรียญ Bitcoin ดิจิทัลในตู้นิรภัยลับ

ลองนึกภาพ vUTXO (Virtual UTXO) เป็นเหมือนเหรียญ Bitcoin ดิจิทัล ที่ถูกเก็บไว้ในตู้นิรภัยสุดไฮเทค

ตู้นิรภัยนี้ตั้งอยู่นอกบล็อกเชน Bitcoin ทำให้การเข้าถึง vUTXO เป็นไปอย่างรวดเร็ว และไม่ต้องผ่านกระบวนการตรวจสอบที่ยุ่งยาก เหมือนกับการหยิบเหรียญจากกระเป๋า แทนที่จะต้องไปรื้อค้นหาในกองสมบัติขนาดใหญ่

vUTXO คือหัวใจสำคัญของ Ark ที่ทำให้การทำธุรกรรมมีความรวดเร็ว และมีค่าธรรมเนียมต่ำ เนื่องจากธุรกรรม vUTXO เกิดขึ้นนอกบล็อกเชน Bitcoin จึงไม่ต้องรอการยืนยัน (Confirmation) จากเครือข่าย Bitcoin

📌 Covenant สัญญาพิทักษ์ความปลอดภัย

เพื่อให้มั่นใจว่า vUTXO จะถูกใช้จ่ายอย่างถูกต้อง Ark ใช้ Covenant ซึ่งเปรียบเสมือนสัญญาที่กำหนดเงื่อนไขการใช้จ่าย vUTXO ล่วงหน้า

Covenant เหล่านี้ถูกเก็บไว้ใน vUTXO Tree ซึ่งเป็นเสมือนผังข้อมูลของ vUTXO ที่ช่วยให้ Ark สามารถจัดการ vUTXO ได้อย่างมีประสิทธิภาพ

และช่วยปกป้องความเป็นส่วนตัวของผู้ใช้ เหมือนกับการมีระบบรักษาความปลอดภัยหลายชั้น ที่ทำให้มั่นใจได้ว่า มีเพียงเจ้าของที่แท้จริงเท่านั้น จึงจะสามารถเข้าถึง vUTXO ได้

📌 vUTXO Tree ผังข้อมูลของ vUTXO

vUTXO Tree คือโครงสร้างข้อมูลที่ใช้จัดเก็บ vUTXO โดยใช้ Covenant ในการกำหนดเงื่อนไขการใช้จ่าย และสามารถนำ vUTXO กลับมาใช้ใหม่ได้ (Recycle) ทำให้ลดการใช้พื้นที่บนบล็อกเชน และเพิ่มความเป็นส่วนตัว

vUTXO Tree ช่วยให้ Ark สามารถจัดการ vUTXO จำนวนมากได้อย่างมีประสิทธิภาพ และลดความซับซ้อนในการทำธุรกรรม

⭐ ASP ผู้พิทักษ์แห่งโลก Ark

Ark Service Provider (ASP) คือผู้ดูแลระบบ Ark ที่เปรียบเสมือนธนาคารที่เก็บรักษา Bitcoin ของผู้ใช้ และให้บริการ vUTXO ASP ทำหน้าที่ตรวจสอบธุรกรรม อัพเดต vUTXO Tree และดูแลความปลอดภัยของระบบ ASP เปรียบเสมือนผู้ดูแลตู้นิรภัย ที่คอยดูแล vUTXO ของผู้ใช้ และอำนวยความสะดวกในการทำธุรกรรม

🧡 3 ขั้นตอนง่ายๆ สู่ธุรกรรม Bitcoin

Ark Protocol เปรียบเสมือนโลกใบใหม่ที่ถูกสร้างขึ้นเพื่อให้การทำธุรกรรม Bitcoin เป็นเรื่องง่าย รวดเร็ว และปลอดภัยยิ่งขึ้น การเดินทางในโลก Ark นั้นไม่ซับซ้อนอย่างที่คิด เพียงแค่ 3 ขั้นตอนง่ายๆ คุณก็สามารถสัมผัสประสบการณ์การใช้ Bitcoin แบบเหนือชั้นได้

1. ก้าวแรกสู่โลก Ark โดยแลก Bitcoin เป็น vUTXO

การเข้าสู่โลก Ark เริ่มต้นจากการฝาก Bitcoin ของคุุณเข้าสู่ Ark Service Provider (ASP) เปรียบเสมือนการเดินเข้าธนาคารเพื่อแลกเงินสดเป็นเช็ค

ASP จะทำหน้าที่ดูแลรักษา Bitcoin ของคุุณอย่างปลอดภัย และมอบ vUTXO ให้เป็นเสมือนเช็คดิจิทัลที่คุุณสามารถใช้จ่ายในโลก Ark ได้

• เลือก ASP / ก่อนอื่น คุุณต้องเลือก ASP ที่น่าเชื่อถือ โดยพิจารณาจากชื่อเสียง ค่าธรรมเนียม และบริการที่ ASP นั้นๆ มีให้บริการ

• ฝาก Bitcoin / เมื่อเลือก ASP ได้แล้ว คุุณสามารถฝาก Bitcoin ไปยังที่อยู่ Bitcoin ของ ASP ที่คุุณเลือก

• รับ vUTXO / เมื่อ ASP ได้รับ Bitcoin ของคุุณแล้ว ระบบจะทำการออก vUTXO ให้กับคุุณโดยอัตโนมัติ vUTXO นี้จะถูกเก็บไว้ใน vUTXO Tree ที่ ASP ดูแล มูลค่าของ vUTXO จะเท่ากับจำนวน Bitcoin ที่คุุณฝากเข้าไป

ตอนนี้คุุณพร้อมที่จะเริ่มต้นการเดินทางในโลก Ark แล้ว..

2. ธุรกรรมสายฟ้าแลบ ผ่านการส่ง vUTXO รวดเร็ว ปลอดภัย ไร้กังวล

vUTXO เปรียบเสมือนเช็คดิจิทัลที่ทำให้การทำธุรกรรม Bitcoin เป็นเรื่องง่าย รวดเร็ว และปลอดภัย

• ส่ง vUTXO ง่ายๆ / เพียงแค่ระบุจำนวน vUTXO ที่ต้องการส่ง และที่อยู่ Ark ของผู้รับ ธุรกรรมของคุณจะถูกดำเนินการทันที โดยไม่ต้องรอการยืนยันจากบล็อกเชน Bitcoin

• ค่าธรรมเนียมต่ำ / เนื่องจากธุรกรรม vUTXO เกิดขึ้นนอกบล็อกเชน Bitcoin จึงมีค่าธรรมเนียมที่ต่ำกว่าการทำธุรกรรมบนบล็อกเชน Bitcoin

• ความเป็นส่วนตัว / ข้อมูลธุรกรรม vUTXO จะถูกเก็บไว้ใน vUTXO Tree ซึ่ง ASP เป็นผู้ดูแล จึงมีความเป็นส่วนตัวมากกว่าการทำธุรกรรมบนบล็อกเชน Bitcoin

3. กลับสู่โลก Bitcoin ด้วยการแลก vUTXO คืนเป็น Bitcoin

เมื่อคุุณต้องการนำ Bitcoin ออกจากโลก Ark เพื่อนำไปใช้จ่ายในโลกภายนอก คุุณสามารถแลก vUTXO คืนเป็น Bitcoin ได้ง่ายๆ

• ส่งคำขอถอน / เพียงแค่ส่งคำขอถอน Bitcoin ไปยัง ASP พร้อมระบุจำนวน Bitcoin ที่ต้องการถอน และที่อยู่ Bitcoin ของคุุณ

• ASP ตรวจสอบและดำเนินการ / ASP จะตรวจสอบความถูกต้องของคำขอ และยอดคงเหลือ vUTXO ของคุุณ ก่อนทำการโอน Bitcoin ไปยังที่อยู่ Bitcoin ของคุุณ

สรุป / การทำธุรกรรมในโลก Ark นั้นง่าย รวดเร็ว และปลอดภัย เพียงแค่ 3 ขั้นตอน คุุณก็สามารถสัมผัสประสบการณ์การใช้ Bitcoin ผ่าน Ark ได้

หมายเหตุ

จากการศึกษาในเอกสารของทางผู้พัฒนา พบข้อสังเกตว่า.. การเลือก ASP ที่น่าเชื่อถือเป็นสิ่งสำคัญ เพราะ ASP จะทำหน้าที่ดูแลรักษา Bitcoin ของคุุณ ดังนั้น ควรศึกษาข้อมูล และเลือก ASP ที่มีชื่อเสียง มีระบบรักษาความปลอดภัยที่ดี และมีค่าธรรมเนียมที่เหมาะสม

Ark vs. Lightning Network

แม้ Lightning Network จะเป็นเลเยอร์ 2 ที่ได้รับความนิยมอย่างมากในปัจจุบัน แต่ Ark ก็มีข้อได้เปรียบและข้อเสียที่แตกต่างกันออกไป ดังนี้..

1. ด้านความปลอดภัย - Ark พึ่งพา ASP ในการดูแล Bitcoin และ vUTXO ดังนั้น ความปลอดภัยของ Ark จึงขึ้นอยู่กับความน่าเชื่อถือของ ASP - Lightning Network ใช้ Multisig และ Hash Time Locked Contract (HTLC) ในการรักษาความปลอดภัย ซึ่งไม่ต้องพึ่งพาบุคคลที่สาม แต่ผู้ใช้ต้องรับผิดชอบในการจัดการช่องทาง และป้องกันการโจมตีต่างๆ ด้วยตนเอง

2.ความสามารถในการรองรับปริมาณธุรกรรม (Scalability) - Ark สามารถรองรับปริมาณธุรกรรมได้สูง เนื่องจากธุรกรรมเกิดขึ้นนอกบล็อกเชน Bitcoin - Lightning Network สามารถรองรับปริมาณธุรกรรมได้สูง แต่อาจยังมีข้อจำกัดอยู่บ้าง เนื่องจากต้องอาศัยการเปิด-ปิดช่องทาง และการบริหารจัดการสภาพคล่องที่จำเป็นต้องมีประสบการณ์และความชำนาญสูง

3.ความซับซ้อนในการพัฒนา - การพัฒนาแอปพลิเคชันบน Ark อาจมีความซับซ้อนน้อยกว่า Lightning Network เนื่องจากไม่ต้องจัดการกับช่องทาง และสภาพคล่อง - การพัฒนาแอปพลิเคชันบน Lightning Network มีความซับซ้อน เนื่องจากต้องเข้าใจ Multisig, HTLC และการจัดการช่องทาง

4. การกระจายอำนาจ - Ark มีการกระจายอำนาจน้อยกว่า Lightning Network เนื่องจากต้องพึ่งพา ASP - Lightning Network มีการกระจายอำนาจมากกว่า เนื่องจากผู้ใช้สามารถเชื่อมต่อกันเองได้โดยตรง โดยไม่ต้องผ่านตัวกลาง

5.ความพร้อมในการใช้งาน - Ark ยังอยู่ในช่วงเริ่มต้นของการพัฒนา และยังไม่มีการใช้งานอย่างแพร่หลาย - Lightning Network มีการใช้งานจริงแล้ว และมีแอปพลิเคชัน Wallet และบริการต่างๆ ที่รองรับ

6.ความยืดหยุ่นในการใช้งาน - Ark ออกแบบมาเพื่อการชำระเงิน และอาจไม่เหมาะกับการใช้งานอื่นๆ เช่น Smart Contract - Lightning Network สามารถนำไปประยุกต์ใช้ได้หลากหลาย เช่น Micropayment, Streaming Payment, และ Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

7. ต้นทุนในการใช้งาน - ค่าธรรมเนียมในการทำธุรกรรม Ark ขึ้นอยู่กับ ASP - ค่าธรรมเนียมในการทำธุรกรรม Lightning Network ขึ้นอยู่กับ Routing Fee และค่าธรรมเนียมในการเปิด-ปิดช่องทาง

8. ความเสถียรของระบบ - Ark ยังเป็นเทคโนโลยีใหม่ ความเสถียรของระบบยังอยู่ในช่วงการทดสอบ - Lightning Network มีการใช้งานจริงมาระยะหนึ่งแล้ว และมีความเสถียรในระดับหนึ่ง

9. การสนับสนุนจากชุมชน - Ark ยังมีชุมชนผู้ใช้งานและนักพัฒนาที่เล็กกว่า Lightning Network - Lightning Network มีชุมชนผู้ใช้งานและนักพัฒนาที่ใหญ่ และมีการพัฒนาอย่างต่อเนื่อง

https://i.nostr.build/gAhg5rQoYU3WmsGy.jpg

📌 Ark Labs ก้าวสู่พัฒนาการใหม่บน Bitcoin

ในเดือนมิถุนายน 2024 ทีมพัฒนา Ark ได้ประกาศก่อตั้งบริษัท Ark Labs อย่างเป็นทางการ ภายใต้การสนับสนุนของ Vulpem Ventures บริษัท Venture Capital ที่มุ่งเน้นการลงทุนในเทคโนโลยี Blockchain และ Cryptocurrency

การก่อตั้ง Ark Labs ถือเป็นก้าวสำคัญของ Ark Protocol ที่แสดงให้เห็นถึงความมุ่งมั่นในการพัฒนาเทคโนโลยี และผลักดันให้ Ark กลายเป็นเลเยอร์ 2 โซลูชัน ที่ได้รับการยอมรับ และใช้งานอย่างแพร่หลาย

📌 ภารกิจของ Ark Labs

Ark Labs มี 2 ภารกิจหลัก คือ

• พัฒนา Ark Protocol แบบ Open Source Ark Labs มุ่งมั่นที่จะพัฒนา Ark Protocol ให้เป็น Open Source เพื่อให้ทุกคนสามารถเข้าถึง ใช้งาน และมีส่วนร่วมในการพัฒนาเทคโนโลยีได้

• สร้างบริการสำหรับผู้ใช้ Ark Ark Labs มีแผนที่จะสร้างบริการต่างๆ ที่ใช้งาน Ark Protocol เช่น Wallet, Payment Gateway, และ API เพื่อให้ผู้ใช้สามารถเข้าถึง Ark ได้ง่าย และสะดวกยิ่งขึ้น

📌 Ark Labs: ทีมผู้เชี่ยวชาญ ขับเคลื่อนอนาคตของ Bitcoin

Ark Labs นำโดย Marco Argentieri ผู้มีประสบการณ์ในวงการ Blockchain และ Cryptocurrency มายาวนาน ทีมงานของ Ark Labs ประกอบด้วยนักพัฒนา Bitcoin ผู้มากประสบการณ์ นักออกแบบ และผู้เชี่ยวชาญด้านการตลาด

แผนงานในอนาคต แอปพลิเคชันแรก และการเติบโตของระบบนิเวศ

Ark Labs มีแผนที่จะเปิดตัวแอปพลิเคชันแรกที่ใช้ Ark Protocol ภายในปี 2024 โดยแอปพลิเคชันนี้จะเน้นไปที่การทำธุรกรรม Bitcoin ที่รวดเร็ว ปลอดภัย และเป็นส่วนตัว

นอกจากนี้ Ark Labs ยังมีแผนที่จะขยายระบบนิเวศของ Ark โดยการสร้างความร่วมมือกับ Wallet ผู้ให้บริการแลกเปลี่ยน (Exchange) และธุรกิจต่างๆ เพื่อเพิ่มการใช้งาน Ark ให้แพร่หลายมากยิ่งขึ้น

บทสรุป

Ark คืออนาคตของ Bitcoin หรือไม่?

Ark Protocol คือเลเยอร์ 2 ที่น่าจับตามอง มาพร้อมกับแนวคิดที่ล้ำสมัย และศักยภาพในการยกระดับ Bitcoin ไปอีกขั้น แม้จะยังอยู่ในช่วงเริ่มต้น แต่ Ark ก็นำเสนอทางเลือกที่น่าสนใจ

หมายเหตุ บทความนี้นำเสนอข้อมูล Ark Protocol โดยอิงจากข้อมูลที่เผยแพร่โดย Ark Labs และแหล่งข้อมูลอื่นๆ ผู้อ่านควรศึกษาข้อมูลเพิ่มเติม และทำการวิเคราะห์ด้วยตนเองก่อนตัดสินใจลงทุนในเทคโนโลยีใดๆ

อย่างไรก็ตาม.. ยังมีคำถามอีกมากมายที่น่าสนใจเกี่ยวกับ Ark Protocol เช่น..

• กลไกการฝาก Bitcoin เข้าสู่ระบบ
• รายละเอียดเกี่ยวกับค่าธรรมเนียม
• และความสามารถในการรองรับปริมาณธุรกรรม (Scalability) เมื่อเทียบกับ Lightning Network

ซึ่งเราจะมาหาคำตอบร่วมกันในเวที Advanced Stage วันที่ 14 กันยายน 2024 ในงาน #TBC2024

มาร่วมเจาะลึก Ark Protocol และสำรวจศักยภาพของเลเยอร์ 2 โซลูชันนี้ไปพร้อมๆ กันครับ!

ศึกษาเพิ่มเติม

• https://ark-protocol.org/
• https://arkdev.info/docs/learn/intro
• https://arklabs.to/

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

As the title states, scratch behind my ear and you get it. 🐶🐾🫡

@ 26852c39:7eaa26e5

I believe in a land where
there is no hurt nor pain,
nor blood nor bombs,
nor Polio;

where freedom reigns,
restrains ẓulm¹;

where the sky is not filled with mass destruction,
nor the newspapers with mass deception,
nor the governments with mass corruption,
nor the graveyards filled with martyrs —
      awaiting resurrection.

It's a place where taḥrīr² and ḥurrīyah³ dance together,
and the sound of liberty rings more than sirens' wailing,
childrens',
mothers',
men's,
and corpses'.

Free, free Palestine,
from Her river to the sea,
free, free Palestine,
and let Her children run free,
and let it be known to the world, in all its cruelty,
that Ġazzah bled in this lowest dunyah⁴,
to ascend to the highest ranks of Al-ākhirah⁵.

p.s. dear people of Palestine, dead or alive, you have let our hearts glimpse just a crack of the light beyond the covers of ġaflah⁶ that ensnare us. A thousand thanks, and I ask God Almighty to forgive me for falling short in what I could not do to help my brothers and sisters in Palestine.

1: oppression
2: liberation
3: freedom
4: world
5: the Afterlife
6: ignorance, heedlessness

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

Test Bounty Note

@ 5b0183ab:a114563e

Chef's notes

Growing up there are a few staple foods that stick with you. For me, it was my Grandma Betty's Chicken Dijon. It was my birthday request every year and every time we cook it up it touches my heart. Grandma Betty passed away a 7 years ago. This dish is dedicated to her, directly from her recipe book.

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 10
• 🍳 Cook time: 35

Ingredients

• 4 Chicken Breasts
• 3 Tbsp Butter
• 2 Tbsp Flower
• 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
• 3 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
• Tomato Wedges

Directions

1. In large skillet, cook chicken in butter on medium heat till brown on both sides and cooked through (about 20 min)
2. Remove chicken and set aside
3. Stir flower into skillet drippings. (whisk thoroughly for best flavor)
4. Add chicken broth and cream. Whisk until sauce thickens. (about 5 minutes)
5. Add dijon mustard and stir to combine.
6. Place chicken breasts in skillet. Place lid on skillet and simmer on low. (10 minutes)
7. Slice tomato in wedges
8. Chop Parsley
9. Plate Chicken, pour cream sauce, tomato wedges and garnish with parsley.
10. Pairs well with steamed rice or pasta and your favorite vegetable(s) (I prefer sweat peas and Steamed Rice)

@ 7c7ebfa3:fba76a62

Country & Western Favorites (Instrumental) https://foundsoundtown.blogspot.com/2024/08/country-western-favorites-instrumental.html

@ 8fb140b4:f948000c

Intro

This short tutorial will help you set up your own Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) on your own LND Node that is not using Umbrel. If you are a user of Umbrel, you should use their version of NWC.

Requirements

You need to have a working installation of LND with established channels and connectivity to the internet. NWC in itself is fairly light and will not consume a lot of resources. You will also want to ensure that you have a working installation of Docker, since we will use a docker image to run NWC.

• Working installation of LND (and all of its required components)
• Docker (with Docker compose)

Installation

For the purpose of this tutorial, we will assume that you have your lnd/bitcoind running under user bitcoin with home directory /home/bitcoin. We will also assume that you already have a running installation of Docker (or docker.io).

Prepare and verify

git version - we will need git to get the latest version of NWC. docker version - should execute successfully and show the currently installed version of Docker. docker compose version - same as before, but the version will be different. ss -tupln | grep 10009- should produce the following output: tcp LISTEN 0 4096 0.0.0.0:10009 0.0.0.0: tcp LISTEN 0 4096 [::]:10009 [::]:**

For things to work correctly, your Docker should be version 20.10.0 or later. If you have an older version, consider installing a new one using instructions here: https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/

Create folders & download NWC

In the home directory of your LND/bitcoind user, create a new folder, e.g., "nwc" mkdir /home/bitcoin/nwc. Change to that directory cd /home/bitcoin/nwc and clone the NWC repository: git clone https://github.com/getAlby/nostr-wallet-connect.git

Creating the Docker image

In this step, we will create a Docker image that you will use to run NWC.

• Change directory to nostr-wallet-connect: cd nostr-wallet-connect
• Run command to build Docker image: docker build -t nwc:$(date +'%Y%m%d%H%M') -t nwc:latest . (there is a dot at the end)
• The last line of the output (after a few minutes) should look like => => naming to docker.io/library/nwc:latest
• nwc:latest is the name of the Docker image with a tag which you should note for use later.

Creating docker-compose.yml and necessary data directories

• Let's create a directory that will hold your non-volatile data (DB): mkdir data
• Indocker-compose.ymlfile, there are fields that you want to replace (<> comments) and port “4321” that you want to make sure is open (check with ss -tupln | grep 4321which should return nothing).
• Create docker-compose.ymlfile with the following content, and make sure to update fields that have <> comment:

version: "3.8" services: nwc: image: nwc:latest volumes: - ./data:/data - ~/.lnd:/lnd:ro ports: - "4321:8080" extra_hosts: - "localhost:host-gateway" environment: NOSTR_PRIVKEY: <use "openssl rand -hex 32" to generate a fresh key and place it inside ""> LN_BACKEND_TYPE: "LND" LND_ADDRESS: localhost:10009 LND_CERT_FILE: "/lnd/tls.cert" LND_MACAROON_FILE: "/lnd/data/chain/bitcoin/mainnet/admin.macaroon" DATABASE_URI: "/data/nostr-wallet-connect.db" COOKIE_SECRET: <use "openssl rand -hex 32" to generate fresh secret and place it inside ""> PORT: 8080 restart: always stop_grace_period: 1m

Starting and testing

Now that you have everything ready, it is time to start the container and test.

• While you are in the nwcdirectory (important), execute the following command and check the log output, docker compose up
• You should see container logs while it is starting, and it should not exit if everything went well.
• At this point, you should be able to go to http://<ip of the host where nwc is running>:4321 and get to the interface of NWC
• To stop the test run of NWC, simply press Ctrl-C , and it will shut the container down.
• To start NWC permanently, you should execute docker compose up -d , “-d” tells Docker to detach from the session.
• To check currently running NWC logs, execute docker compose logs to run it in tail mode add -f to the end.
• To stop the container, execute docker compose down

That's all, just follow the instructions in the web interface to get started.

Updating

As with any software, you should expect fixes and updates that you would need to perform periodically. You could automate this, but it falls outside of the scope of this tutorial. Since we already have all of the necessary configuration in place, the update execution is fairly simple.

• Change directory to the clone of the git repository, cd /home/bitcoin/nwc/nostr-wallet-connect
• Run command to build Docker image: docker build -t nwc:$(date +'%Y%m%d%H%M') -t nwc:latest . (there is a dot at the end)
• Change directory back one level cd ..
• Restart (stop and start) the docker compose config docker compose down && docker compose up -d
• Done! Optionally you may want to check the logs: docker compose logs

@ d2e97f73:ea9a4d1b

There’s a lot of conversation around the #TwitterFiles. Here’s my take, and thoughts on how to fix the issues identified.

I’ll start with the principles I’ve come to believe…based on everything I’ve learned and experienced through my past actions as a Twitter co-founder and lead:

1. Social media must be resilient to corporate and government control.
2. Only the original author may remove content they produce.
3. Moderation is best implemented by algorithmic choice.

The Twitter when I led it and the Twitter of today do not meet any of these principles. This is my fault alone, as I completely gave up pushing for them when an activist entered our stock in 2020. I no longer had hope of achieving any of it as a public company with no defense mechanisms (lack of dual-class shares being a key one). I planned my exit at that moment knowing I was no longer right for the company.

The biggest mistake I made was continuing to invest in building tools for us to manage the public conversation, versus building tools for the people using Twitter to easily manage it for themselves. This burdened the company with too much power, and opened us to significant outside pressure (such as advertising budgets). I generally think companies have become far too powerful, and that became completely clear to me with our suspension of Trump’s account. As I’ve said before, we did the right thing for the public company business at the time, but the wrong thing for the internet and society. Much more about this here: https://twitter.com/jack/status/1349510769268850690

I continue to believe there was no ill intent or hidden agendas, and everyone acted according to the best information we had at the time. Of course mistakes were made. But if we had focused more on tools for the people using the service rather than tools for us, and moved much faster towards absolute transparency, we probably wouldn’t be in this situation of needing a fresh reset (which I am supportive of). Again, I own all of this and our actions, and all I can do is work to make it right.

Back to the principles. Of course governments want to shape and control the public conversation, and will use every method at their disposal to do so, including the media. And the power a corporation wields to do the same is only growing. It’s critical that the people have tools to resist this, and that those tools are ultimately owned by the people. Allowing a government or a few corporations to own the public conversation is a path towards centralized control.

I’m a strong believer that any content produced by someone for the internet should be permanent until the original author chooses to delete it. It should be always available and addressable. Content takedowns and suspensions should not be possible. Doing so complicates important context, learning, and enforcement of illegal activity. There are significant issues with this stance of course, but starting with this principle will allow for far better solutions than we have today. The internet is trending towards a world were storage is “free” and infinite, which places all the actual value on how to discover and see content.

Which brings me to the last principle: moderation. I don’t believe a centralized system can do content moderation globally. It can only be done through ranking and relevance algorithms, the more localized the better. But instead of a company or government building and controlling these solely, people should be able to build and choose from algorithms that best match their criteria, or not have to use any at all. A “follow” action should always deliver every bit of content from the corresponding account, and the algorithms should be able to comb through everything else through a relevance lens that an individual determines. There’s a default “G-rated” algorithm, and then there’s everything else one can imagine.

The only way I know of to truly live up to these 3 principles is a free and open protocol for social media, that is not owned by a single company or group of companies, and is resilient to corporate and government influence. The problem today is that we have companies who own both the protocol and discovery of content. Which ultimately puts one person in charge of what’s available and seen, or not. This is by definition a single point of failure, no matter how great the person, and over time will fracture the public conversation, and may lead to more control by governments and corporations around the world.

I believe many companies can build a phenomenal business off an open protocol. For proof, look at both the web and email. The biggest problem with these models however is that the discovery mechanisms are far too proprietary and fixed instead of open or extendable. Companies can build many profitable services that complement rather than lock down how we access this massive collection of conversation. There is no need to own or host it themselves.

Many of you won’t trust this solution just because it’s me stating it. I get it, but that’s exactly the point. Trusting any one individual with this comes with compromises, not to mention being way too heavy a burden for the individual. It has to be something akin to what bitcoin has shown to be possible. If you want proof of this, get out of the US and European bubble of the bitcoin price fluctuations and learn how real people are using it for censorship resistance in Africa and Central/South America.

I do still wish for Twitter, and every company, to become uncomfortably transparent in all their actions, and I wish I forced more of that years ago. I do believe absolute transparency builds trust. As for the files, I wish they were released Wikileaks-style, with many more eyes and interpretations to consider. And along with that, commitments of transparency for present and future actions. I’m hopeful all of this will happen. There’s nothing to hide…only a lot to learn from. The current attacks on my former colleagues could be dangerous and doesn’t solve anything. If you want to blame, direct it at me and my actions, or lack thereof.

As far as the free and open social media protocol goes, there are many competing projects: @bluesky is one with the AT Protocol, nostr another, Mastodon yet another, Matrix yet another…and there will be many more. One will have a chance at becoming a standard like HTTP or SMTP. This isn’t about a “decentralized Twitter.” This is a focused and urgent push for a foundational core technology standard to make social media a native part of the internet. I believe this is critical both to Twitter’s future, and the public conversation’s ability to truly serve the people, which helps hold governments and corporations accountable. And hopefully makes it all a lot more fun and informative again.

💸🛠️🌐 To accelerate open internet and protocol work, I’m going to open a new category of #startsmall grants: “open internet development.” It will start with a focus of giving cash and equity grants to engineering teams working on social media and private communication protocols, bitcoin, and a web-only mobile OS. I’ll make some grants next week, starting with $1mm/yr to Signal. Please let me know other great candidates for this money.

@ 97c70a44:ad98e322

Nostr is a mess. It always has been and will always be. That's part of the appeal! But it's important that users be able to navigate the rolling seas of this highly partition-tolerant network of kaleidoscopically-interwoven people, bots, topics, relays, clients, events, recommendations, lists, feeds, micro-apps, macro-apps, Chinese spam, and "GM"s.

In order to do this, users must be able to articulate "what" they are looking for, and clients must be able to articulate "how" to find that thing. This "how" is divided into two parts: building a request that will match the desired content (very easy), and selecting a relay that is able to serve that content to the user requesting it (very very hard).

Why guessing isn't good enough

As a concrete example, let's say the user wants to find everyone in their "network" who is using a particular topic. The process would look something like this:

1. The user clicks the "network" tab and types in the topic they want to browse. This is the "what".
2. The client then translates the term "network" to a list of public keys using whatever definition they prefer (Follows? WoT? Grapevine?), and builds a filter that might look something like this: [{"authors": pubkeys, "#t": ["mytopic"]}]. Any relay will happily accept, understand, and respond to that filter.
3. The client then has to decide which relays it should send that filter to. This is the ??? stage of the outbox model, which immediately precedes:
4. Profit

It may not be immediately obvious why selecting the correct relays might be difficult. Most people post to relay.damus.io, and most people read from relay.damus.io, so in most cases you should be good, right?

This approach to relay selection has historically worked "well enough", but it depends on a flawed definition of success. If you only want to find 90% of the content that matches your query, using the top 10 relays will suffice. But nostr is intended to be censorship-resistant. What if those 10 hubs have banned a particular public key? Nostr clients should (at least in theory) be 100% successful in retrieving requested content. Even if someone only posts to their self-hosted relay, you should be able to find their notes if their account is set up properly.

A naive solution to fixing the FOMO

A 90% hit rate results in a feeling of flakiness, even if users aren't completely aware of what isn't working. Feeds will be incomplete, quoted notes will be missing, replies will be orphaned, user profiles won't load. The natural response to the FOMO this creates is for users to "try harder" by adding more relays.

On the read side, this means clients open more connections, resulting in much higher data transfer requirements, with massively diminishing returns, since there's no reason to expect that a randomly chosen relay will have a substantially different data set.

One the publish side, this means that clients end up publishing more copies of their data to more relays. This approach has been automated in the past by services like Blastr, which don't store a copy of events published to the relay, but instead forward events to the top 300 relays in the network. This results in a two-orders-of-magnitude increase in storage required, and only makes the read side of the problem worse, since it reduces the uniqueness of the data set each relay stores. This in turn means that more duplicates are retrieved when querying relays.

Both halves of this approach are equivalent to guessing. On the read side, users are guessing which relays will have any arbitrary content they might ask for in the future. On the write side, users are guessing which relays other people might use to find their notes. It is a brute-force method for finding content.

Randomness results in centralization

In theory, random relay selection would result in a perfect distribution of content across all relays in the network. But in practice, this method of selection isn't random at all, but is strongly influenced by user bias in what constitutes a "good" relay. While some users may check nostr.watch for ping times, geographical proximity, or uptime, most will choose relays based on familiar names or other people's recommendations.

In either case, these biases are entirely orthogonal to achieving a higher content retrieval hit rate, except when bias in relay selection results in clustering — i.e., centralization. In other words, the kind of randomness exhibited by users when selecting relays actually results in pretty much everyone picking the same few relays. We see this same effect when people try to come up with passwords or seed phrases — human-provided randomness is anything but random.

Clustering improves the hit rate when requesting events (slightly), but it results in nearly as much centralization as if only a single relay was used — and a lot more duplicate events.

Something (anything) other than randomness

In early 2023, Mike Dilger introduced NIP 65 (now known as the "Outbox Model") with a problem statement in the spirit of the original description of nostr: "Nostr should scale better. People should be able to find what they want."

Historical note: NIP 65 was formerly known as the "Gossip Model", derived from the name of Mike's desktop nostr client, called "Gossip". This unfortunately created a lot of confusion, since gossip protocols work very differently from how nostr tends to work, hence the re-brand.

Before NIP 65, an informal standard existed in which kind 3 user contact lists also included a list of relays that clients could use as something similar to Mastodon's "home servers". This list included the option to only read or write from a given relay. Unfortunately, it wasn't really clear what the semantics of this relay list were, so different clients handled them differently (and many clients ignored them). Usually this amounted to user-provided static relay configurations, which resulted in the naive relay selection approach described above.

NIP 65 used a very similar format (a list of relay urls with optional "read" or "write" directives), but with a very important semantic difference: relays listed in a user's kind 10002 were intended to "advertise to others, not for configuring one's client." In other words, these relay selections were intended as a signal to other users that they should use certain relays when attempting to communicate with the author of the relay list.

I highly recommend reading the entire NIP, which is very short and easy to read. But the mechanics of the spec are very simple:

When seeking events from a user, Clients SHOULD use the WRITE relays of the user's kind:10002.

When seeking events about a user, where the user was tagged, Clients SHOULD use the READ relays of the user's kind:10002.

When broadcasting an event, Clients SHOULD:

• Broadcast the event to the WRITE relays of the author
• Broadcast the event to all READ relays of each tagged user

For the first time, we had a way to differentiate relays in terms of what content could be found where.

When looking for a note by a particular user, a client could now look up the author's write relays according to their kind 10002 event, and send its query there. The result is a much higher hit rate with much lower data transfer requirements, and fewer connections per query.

Making Outbox Work

There are of course some assumptions required to make this work.

First, the user must know which author they're looking for. This isn't always true when looking up a quote or parent note, but context and pubkey hints solve this difficulty in most cases.

The author must also publish a kind 10002 event. This may not always be the case, but clients should prompt users to set up their relay list correctly. This isn't really a flaw in the Outbox Model, just in implementations of it.

Additionally, the user's client must be able to find the author's kind 10002 event. This is the "bootstrapping" phase of the Outbox Model, during which the mechanisms the system provides for finding events aren't available. This requires us to fall back to randomly guessing which relays have the content we're looking for, which as we saw above doesn't work very well.

Other than guessing, there are a few different ways a client might find the relay selection event in question, each of which is applicable in different circumstances. In most cases, using one of a handful of indexer relays like purplepag.es or relay.nostr.band is a simple and efficient way to find user profiles and relay selections.

However, if an author's content has been aggressively purged from these indexers due to censorship, they obviously can't be relied upon. Even though the author in question hasn't been deplatformed from nostr itself (since he can always self-host a publicly accessible relay to store his content), he has been effectively shadow-banned.

To get around this, relay selections have to be communicated in some other way. Nostr has a few different mechanisms for this:

• If the author's NIP 05 address is known and properly configured (it may not be), clients can look up the author's NIP 05 endpoint to find some reasonable relay hints. Unfortunately, these are often neglected, and usually custodial, so they can run into the same problems.
• If the author's pubkey is found in another signed event found on nostr, relay hints can be a way to propagate relay selections through the network. This relies on implementations picking reliable relay hints which can be difficult, and hints do tend to become less reliable over time. However, this strategy is very effective in resisting censorship because it makes banning viral — if a relay wants to completely purge a particular pubkey from their database, they have to purge every event that references it, since events are tamper-proof.
• In extremis, relay recommendations can always be communicated out-of-band. This can be done using manual input, QR codes, DHTs, jsonl torrents full of kind 10002 events, or any other mechanism client developers choose to resort to.

Another, more technical assumption is that any given query can be fulfilled by few enough relays that a client can actually make all the connections needed, without running into resource limits. If you're trying to request content from 10,000 users across 1,000 relays, you're going to have a bad time. This was pointed out to me by Mazin of nostr.wine. He makes a good point, and it's definitely something to keep in mind. There are some mitigating factors though.

The first is that the current topology of the network probably won't persist forever. Because nostr is largely populated by self-hosting enthusiasts, the number of "tiny" relays is proportionally much higher than it will be if adoption picks up, even if the total number of relays grows. The trajectory is that nostr will drift toward fewer, larger relays, reducing the number of connections needed to fulfill any given query.

This is "centralizing", but it's important to understand that this isn't necessarily a bad thing. As long as there are more than one or two large hubs, there is user choice. And as long as it's possible to run a new relay, there is always an escape hatch. Nostr, like bitcoin, has no hard dependency on the biggest player in the network.

The other thing to consider is that there are lots of other techniques we can use to overcome the limits of the lowest-common denominator's limitations (mobile browser clients), including self hosted or third-party relay proxies. The trade-off here is that a little trust (aka centralization) can go a long way to reducing resource requirements needed to fulfill queries using the Outbox model.

If you're interested in more details on this topic, see this blog post.

That was a long digression, but there is one other thing that the Outbox model assumes to be the case. Even if the correct relays are found and connected to, they still may not return all desired content, either because they don't have it, or because they refuse to return it to the user requesting it.

This can happen if the publishing client isn't following the Outbox Model, if the author had migrated from one relay set to another without copying their notes over, or if the relay in question chose not to retain the author's content for some reason.

The first two issues can be fixed by improving implementations, but the question of policy is a little more interesting.

Relativistic relays

The Outbox Model is a mechanical process; it's only as useful as user relay selections are. In order for it to work, users have to be able to make intelligent relay selections.

Every relay has trade-offs, depending on its policy. 140.f7z.io would not be useful for long-form content, for example. Some relays might have a content retention policy that changes depending on whether you're a paying user. If you don't pay, you might find out too late that your content has been deleted from the relay.

So what makes a relay "good" for a particular use case? Well, it's complicated. Here are a few factors that go into that calculus:

• Is the relay in the same geographical as the user? Proximity reduces latency, but jurisdictional arbitrage might be desired. Users should probably have a variety of relays that fit different profiles.
• Will the relay ban the user? Do the operators have a history of good behavior? Is the relay focused on particular types of content? Is the relay's focus consistent with the user's goal in adding that relay to their list?
• What are the relay's retention policies? A user might want to set up an archival relay for her old content, or a multi-availability-zone relay so her notes are immediately accessible to the rest of the network.
• Does the relay require payment? Paid relays are more aligned with their users, but obviously come at a financial cost.
• Does the relay have policies for read-protecting content? If so, other users might not be able to find your posts published to that relay. On the other hand, some relays are configured to work as inboxes for direct messages, which can help preserve privacy.
• Does the relay request that users authenticate? Authentication can help manage spam, but it also allows relays to correlate content requests with users, reducing user privacy.
• Is the relay you use hosted by your client's developer? If so, you're in danger of getting banned from your client and your relay at the same time.
• Is the relay a hub? Using hubs can help smooth out rough areas in Outbox Model implementations, at the cost of centralization.
• Is the relay used by anyone else? One-off relays can be useful for archival purposes, but often won't be used by clients following the Outbox Model, depending on how they optimize requests.

There are lots of ways to approach the problem of helping users select relays, but it's an inherently complex problem which very few people will have the patience to properly address on their own. Relay selection is a multi-dimensional problem, and requires satisfying multiple constraints with a limited number of relay selections.

In the future, special-purpose clients might be used to help people build relay sets. Clients also might provide curated "relay kits" that users can choose and customize. Or, we might see an increase in hybrid solutions, like smarter relay proxies or client-local relays that synchronize using other protocols or platforms.

The Limitations of Outbox

Outbox is not a complete solution, not because of any of the caveats listed above, but because NIP 65 per se only addresses the question of how to index content by pubkey in a broadcast social media context. But there are many other scenarios for relay selection that Outbox does not solve:

• Community, chat, and group posts might be best posted to relays dedicated to that context.
• Direct messages shouldn't follow the same contours as public social media content.
• Topic-oriented relays, or relays serving a custom feed might be useful independent of who uses them.
• Relays focused on serving a particular kind of event, like music, long-form content, or relay selections, are useful independent of who reads from or writes to them.
• Certain clients might need to fulfill particular use cases by using relays that support certain protocol features, like search, count, or sync commands.
• Some events might not make sense to publish to relays, but should instead be shared only directly, out of band.

Some of these use cases might be solved by new specifications similar to Outbox that prescribe where certain data belongs — for example, NIP 17 requires users to publish a different relay list before they can receive direct messages, while NIP 72 places community relay recommendations directly into the group's metadata object. A reasonably complete list of different relay types can be found in this PR, very few of which have a canonical way to manage selections.

Other use cases might be supported more informally, either by relays advertising their own value proposition, or via third-party NIP 66 metadata. Still others might be supported by scoping the network down to only certain relays through explicit relay selection — this is how white-labeled Coracle instances work.

The basic idea here is that there are categories of events that don't have anything to do with where a particular person puts his or her "tweets". For every "what" on nostr, there should be a "how".

Keep nostr weird

Whatever additional systems we end up adopting for helping with relay selection, one thing is certain — people will continue to discover new, creative uses for relays, and we will always be playing catch up. This is one of the coolest things about nostr!

But it does mean that users will have to adapt their expectations to a network that partitions, re-configures, and evolves over time. Nostr is not a "worse" experience than legacy social media, but it is a version of social media that has itself been set free from the stagnant walled-garden model. Nostr is in many ways a living organism — we should be careful not to impose our expectations prematurely, leaving room to discover what this thing actually is, or can be.

If you enjoyed this post but want more take a look at the talk I gave at Nostrasia last year. I also wrote up a blog post at about the same time that addresses some of the same issues, but focuses more on privacy concerns around relays and nostr groups. Finally, I recently wrote this comment, which includes some details about challenges I've faced putting Outbox into Coracle.

@ 3e6e0735:9e95c8a2

Imagine a colorful world filled with vibrant villages, each bustling with activity. Each village has its own unique roads and parks where people gather to share their stories, pictures, and ideas.

Village A is like a big, crowded gathering spot, similar to Facebook, where everyone loves to post their adventures. But there’s a dark cloud hanging over it. The village leaders, while wanting to keep things friendly, are constantly pressured by the government to monitor what people share. If someone posts something that the government doesn’t like, the leaders might say,

“Hold on! You can’t share that!” It feels more like a prison than a park, where the rules can change at any moment, and everyone is afraid to speak freely.

Village B is a chaotic place where folks send quick messages back and forth, just like Twitter. Here, too, the leaders face immense pressure from the government to control conversations. If you say something that doesn’t fit the official narrative, they might silence you or even banish you from the village. Plus, when you share your thoughts, you don’t really own them. The leaders can sell your data and connections to the highest bidder, leaving you feeling like just another product.

Then there’s Village C, a trendy spot for sharing beautiful photos, like Instagram. But beware! The leaders here are also under the thumb of the government, which has its own set of oppressive rules. If someone posts something that challenges the status quo, it might just vanish without a trace. And just like in the other villages, your data and followers aren’t really yours—they can be sold off without your consent.

But wait! Enter NOSTR, the magical map that connects all the villages without any leaders telling you what you can or can’t share. It’s like building roads that anyone can use, with no gates or guards in sight.

With NOSTR, if Village A wants to share a story with Village C, they can do it directly, or through Village B, without anyone stopping them. It’s permissionless, meaning you don’t need to ask for permission to share your thoughts or ideas. Plus, all content lives everywhere at once, thanks to special relays, so you can find it no matter where you are!

Here’s the best part: with NOSTR, you own your own data, connections, and followers! It’s like having a special key that only you control. No one can sell your information or take away your followers because you’re the one in charge.

And let’s not forget about the exciting micropayments called “zaps” using Bitcoin! Imagine if you could send a little thank-you to someone for a great story or a beautiful photo, right there in the moment. It’s like tossing a coin into a fountain to show your appreciation, but digital and instant!

And here’s a side note: with the rise of AI, people can create even more amazing things, like art or stories, and share them freely through NOSTR. There’s no one to censor or control what you create, so everyone can express themselves fully.

As more and more people flock to NOSTR, the other villages start to lose their users. They realize they need to adapt or risk fading away. Some leaders begin to think about integrating NOSTR into their own platforms, but there’s a catch: they have to rethink their entire profit model first. This leads to a battle of ideas, as they struggle to find a way to keep their users while also embracing the freedom that NOSTR offers.

In the end, while the centralized parks are dark and oppressive, ruled by leaders who are pressured by the government to control every word and image, NOSTR allows all the villages to connect freely. It’s a place where everyone can share their voices without fear, a world of endless possibilities where creativity thrives, and you truly own your data and connections!

@ 82341f88:fbfbe6a2

There’s a lot of conversation around the #TwitterFiles. Here’s my take, and thoughts on how to fix the issues identified.

I’ll start with the principles I’ve come to believe…based on everything I’ve learned and experienced through my past actions as a Twitter co-founder and lead:

1. Social media must be resilient to corporate and government control.
2. Only the original author may remove content they produce.
3. Moderation is best implemented by algorithmic choice.

The Twitter when I led it and the Twitter of today do not meet any of these principles. This is my fault alone, as I completely gave up pushing for them when an activist entered our stock in 2020. I no longer had hope of achieving any of it as a public company with no defense mechanisms (lack of dual-class shares being a key one). I planned my exit at that moment knowing I was no longer right for the company.

The biggest mistake I made was continuing to invest in building tools for us to manage the public conversation, versus building tools for the people using Twitter to easily manage it for themselves. This burdened the company with too much power, and opened us to significant outside pressure (such as advertising budgets). I generally think companies have become far too powerful, and that became completely clear to me with our suspension of Trump’s account. As I’ve said before, we did the right thing for the public company business at the time, but the wrong thing for the internet and society. Much more about this here: https://twitter.com/jack/status/1349510769268850690

I continue to believe there was no ill intent or hidden agendas, and everyone acted according to the best information we had at the time. Of course mistakes were made. But if we had focused more on tools for the people using the service rather than tools for us, and moved much faster towards absolute transparency, we probably wouldn’t be in this situation of needing a fresh reset (which I am supportive of). Again, I own all of this and our actions, and all I can do is work to make it right.

Back to the principles. Of course governments want to shape and control the public conversation, and will use every method at their disposal to do so, including the media. And the power a corporation wields to do the same is only growing. It’s critical that the people have tools to resist this, and that those tools are ultimately owned by the people. Allowing a government or a few corporations to own the public conversation is a path towards centralized control.

I’m a strong believer that any content produced by someone for the internet should be permanent until the original author chooses to delete it. It should be always available and addressable. Content takedowns and suspensions should not be possible. Doing so complicates important context, learning, and enforcement of illegal activity. There are significant issues with this stance of course, but starting with this principle will allow for far better solutions than we have today. The internet is trending towards a world were storage is “free” and infinite, which places all the actual value on how to discover and see content.

Which brings me to the last principle: moderation. I don’t believe a centralized system can do content moderation globally. It can only be done through ranking and relevance algorithms, the more localized the better. But instead of a company or government building and controlling these solely, people should be able to build and choose from algorithms that best match their criteria, or not have to use any at all. A “follow” action should always deliver every bit of content from the corresponding account, and the algorithms should be able to comb through everything else through a relevance lens that an individual determines. There’s a default “G-rated” algorithm, and then there’s everything else one can imagine.

The only way I know of to truly live up to these 3 principles is a free and open protocol for social media, that is not owned by a single company or group of companies, and is resilient to corporate and government influence. The problem today is that we have companies who own both the protocol and discovery of content. Which ultimately puts one person in charge of what’s available and seen, or not. This is by definition a single point of failure, no matter how great the person, and over time will fracture the public conversation, and may lead to more control by governments and corporations around the world.

I believe many companies can build a phenomenal business off an open protocol. For proof, look at both the web and email. The biggest problem with these models however is that the discovery mechanisms are far too proprietary and fixed instead of open or extendable. Companies can build many profitable services that complement rather than lock down how we access this massive collection of conversation. There is no need to own or host it themselves.

Many of you won’t trust this solution just because it’s me stating it. I get it, but that’s exactly the point. Trusting any one individual with this comes with compromises, not to mention being way too heavy a burden for the individual. It has to be something akin to what bitcoin has shown to be possible. If you want proof of this, get out of the US and European bubble of the bitcoin price fluctuations and learn how real people are using it for censorship resistance in Africa and Central/South America.

I do still wish for Twitter, and every company, to become uncomfortably transparent in all their actions, and I wish I forced more of that years ago. I do believe absolute transparency builds trust. As for the files, I wish they were released Wikileaks-style, with many more eyes and interpretations to consider. And along with that, commitments of transparency for present and future actions. I’m hopeful all of this will happen. There’s nothing to hide…only a lot to learn from. The current attacks on my former colleagues could be dangerous and doesn’t solve anything. If you want to blame, direct it at me and my actions, or lack thereof.

As far as the free and open social media protocol goes, there are many competing projects: @bluesky is one with the AT Protocol, nostr another, Mastodon yet another, Matrix yet another…and there will be many more. One will have a chance at becoming a standard like HTTP or SMTP. This isn’t about a “decentralized Twitter.” This is a focused and urgent push for a foundational core technology standard to make social media a native part of the internet. I believe this is critical both to Twitter’s future, and the public conversation’s ability to truly serve the people, which helps hold governments and corporations accountable. And hopefully makes it all a lot more fun and informative again.

💸🛠️🌐 To accelerate open internet and protocol work, I’m going to open a new category of #startsmall grants: “open internet development.” It will start with a focus of giving cash and equity grants to engineering teams working on social media and private communication protocols, bitcoin, and a web-only mobile OS. I’ll make some grants next week, starting with $1mm/yr to Signal. Please let me know other great candidates for this money.

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

The Contradiction?

At first glance the Bible seems contradictory when it commands us regarding fear. It says:

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

but it also says:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

Which is it? Are we to be afraid or not? Are we to fear God or fear nothing?

Like other places in the Bible where there seems to be a contradiction, when the Bible is taken as a whole, there is no contradiction. The issue is more what we fear rather than whether we are afraid or not.

We’ll go through a bunch of verses and see what the Bible says so we can work out what the Bible really says about fear.

Fear God

Let’s start with the verse we already read:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

If we want to grow in wisdom and knowledge, the Bible tells us we must fear God. What does this mean.

I’ll start with a line out of the The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Lewis uses his character, a lion named Aslan, as a Christ-type. The Pevensy children are just learning about Aslan and this conversation occurs:

“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”

This was C.S. Lewis’s way of telling kids about Jesus and a proper fear of Him. The God of the Bible isn’t safe, but He is good. We should fear Him because of His holiness, His omniscience, and omnipotence, but we also can trust Him because of His goodness and mercy. We can trust Him because He knows all things and controls all things and nothing is out of His control.

Too often today, people treat God as either their buddy or their magic, wish-granting genie. Both are totally wrong.

Yes, God is loving, but bringing Him down to our level is not treating Him with the awe He deserves. We serves such an awesome God that we can’t fathom how good and powerful He is. He always should be honored, respected, and feared even knowing how much He loves us.

As young kids, we knew our parents loved us, but we also feared them when we did wrong. We feared punishment. We feared their disappointment. We feared what they were able to do to us. We loved our parents, but they were not our buddies. God is so much more than our earthly parents. He is so much more holy. He is so much more knowledgeable. He is so much more powerful. He needs to be treated with orders of magnitude more respect and fear than our parents were.

God also isn’t a magic, wish-granting genie that has to give us whatever we wish for. Yes, God gives believers many good things they ask for, but He only gives us those things that fulfill His will. He only gives us those things that are for our good and that enable us for the ministry He has for us.

You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. (James 4:3)

We need to fear the God of the Bible because “… He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.” (Hebrews 1:3a) We owe Him our very existence and shouldn’t try to use Him for our convenience. We should fear what He could do to us if we don’t show Him the respect and honor He deserves.

There are many verses that tell us we must “fear God” or speak well of “fear of the Lord.” When Peter is commanding believers what they should do, “fear God” is among the commands.

Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. (1 Peter 2:17)

Solomon, immediately after becoming king, was asked by God what he would like to receive from God. Solomon asked for wisdom. He started his kingship with great wisdom that was sought after not only by the people of Israel, but by world leaders. Unfortunately, his wealth and power led him astray and he went seeking fulfillment in things other than God. At the end of his life, he wrote Ecclesiastes, where he lamented the vanity of everything he had tried and ended with this wisdom:

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

The wisest man of all time (not counting Jesus) came to the conclusion that the key to wisdom and happiness was to “fear God and keep His commandments.” Solomon also says:

Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly. But it will not be well for the evil man and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God. (Ecclesiastes 8:12-13)

I love how he says this, “it will be well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly." Do you fear God? Do you openly fear God? Solomon also effectively says that a man is evil because he does not fear God. It is our fear of God that keeps us on the straight path.

We are called to fear God here, today, but everyone will fear God eventually. Revelation says:

and he (an angel) said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.” (Revelation 14:7) {Clarification mine}

When we fear Him today, we are blessed. If we wait till His judgement, we will know the ultimate fear as we face the wrath of the holy, creator God that we rejected. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.

O taste and see that the Lord is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
O fear the Lord, you His saints;
For to those who fear Him there is no want. (Psalms 34:8=9)

Fear God now, so you don’t have to fear God at the judgement.

Fear Not

Although the Bible repeatedly tells us to “fear God” or that “fear of the Lord” is a beneficial thing, it also tells us as often to “fear not” or “do not be afraid.” Now we will look at some of what the Bible says about not being afraid.

“Fear not, for you will not be put to shame;And do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced;But you will forget the shame of your youth,And the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. (Isaiah 54:4)

Much of our fear relates to shame and humiliation. We all want to be thought well of by our friends, family, God, and even total strangers. Strangely fear of humiliation may even be greater than our fear of worse things like sickness and death. Fear of shame and humiliation is also more harmful. It frequently leads us astray.

Fear of embarrassment almost always leads us into sin, so God tells us to “Fear not, for you will not be put to shame.” This promise doesn’t mean we will never be embarrassed or nobody will ever think poorly about us. It does mean that faith in Jesus and faithfulness in following Him will lead us to the right words and actions. It means we will act correctly and we will not need to be ashamed of ourselves. It means we will be right with God, and being right with God is better than all the praise in the world.

For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand,Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ (Isaiah 41:13)

Another reason to not fear is that, if we have trusted Jesus as Savior, we have God’s help and protection in all that we do. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31) If we are on God’s side, then we are on the winning side and there is no reason to fear anything, including persecution and death. God will always be with us. “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9)

Many times we fear that our physical needs will not be met, but Matthew says:

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? … But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:25,30-33)

God provides for all of our needs. He knows our needs more than we know them ourselves. He knows the best way to provide for our needs, whether physical, spiritual, emotional, or social. He will provide all that we need, but rarely simply what we want. He looks at eternity and knows what is good for our long-term good and provides for eternity. Our eternal good only rarely aligns with our momentary comfort. Still, if we trust God and seek His guidance, we will find joy in His providence, His chastisement, and His will.

If you have trusted Jesus as Savior, you also have the Comforter (Holy Spirit) who will provide for you, empower you, and guide you. He is with you and always listening to the cry of your heart.

You have heard my voice,“Do not hide Your ear from my prayer for relief,From my cry for help.”You drew near when I called on You;You said, “Do not fear!” (Lamentations 3:56-57)

If you have Jesus as your Lord and Savior, there is nothing you need to fear.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. (1 John 4:18)

If you haven’t trusted Jesus as your creator God and Savior, you have everything to fear.

“I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! (Luke 12:4-5)

Being a born-again, child of God is all that matters. With God we don’t need to fear anything else.

The Right Fear

In conclusion, if you don’t fear God, you must fear everything else. You will fear financial failure, being unpopular, relationship failure, illness, accidents, attacks, etc. Everything is a danger to you and there is nothing you can count on. On the other hand, if you fear God, then you don’t need to fear anything else. God takes care of His own. He has a plan that will be fulfilled even if the whole world fights against it.

We aren’t promised an easy time, but we are promised His eternal good for us. He does promise us that good wins in the end. He does promise us an eternity with Him in heaven with no more sin, suffering, or sadness.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32)

Trust Jesus.

your sister in Christ,

Christy

Bible verses are NASB (New American Standard Bible) 1995 edition unless otherwise stated

For more posts check out and subscribe to my Trust Jesus Substack.

@ b83a28b7:35919450

Join nostr:npub1tvqc82mv8cezhax5r34n4muc2c4pgjz8kaye2smj032nngg52clq0rkrq4 and me for episode 76 of nostr:npub14kw5ygpl6fyqagh9cnrytyaqyacg46lzkq42vz7hk8txdk49kzxs04j7y0 this Friday, August 30th at 3pm ET (UTC -4)

Our guest this week is nostr:npub1xv8mzscll8vvy5rsdw7dcqtd2j268a6yupr6gzqh86f2ulhy9kkqmclk3x from nostr:npub1getal6ykt05fsz5nqu4uld09nfj3y3qxmv8crys4aeut53unfvlqr80nfm who joins us to provide the lowdown on the recently launched Alby Hub

You don't want to miss this one!

Set your blockclocks!

https://nostrnests.com/

[This is our first show announcement made from a long-form client, in keeping with QW and my #otherstuffchallenge]

@ 06639a38:655f8f71

Project Updates

In general the most detailed updates can be found here: https://nostrver.se/blog 
Done in the library itself:

• Improved handling of relay responses
• Added a RelaySet class to send a event to multiple relays
• Added the feature to fetch and read events from relays
• Further integration of NIP-01 with message types which can be send to relays
• Merged the following pull requests
  • https://github.com/nostrver-se/nostr-php/pull/55
  • https://github.com/nostrver-se/nostr-php/pull/57
  • https://github.com/nostrver-se/nostr-php/pull/52
• Processed the following issues
  • https://github.com/nostrver-se/nostr-php/issues/58
  • https://njump.me/nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzphtxf40yq9jr82xdd8cqtts5szqyx5tcndvaukhsvfmduetr85ceqy88wumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmv9uq3zamnwvaz7tmwdaehgu3wwa5kuef0qqsq3utlvgf6tz88ctexwu8ppgct9dkahmv5esxhmmgphv675get22qmzah0a

Stuff done around the library (and advocating Nostr):

• Code documentation website: https://phpdoc.nostr-php.dev/ (generated with phpdoc based on the docblocks in the library code)
• Migrated the the https://nostrver.se website from a static to a Drupal website. There I'm sharing notes and long-form content around my contributions to Nostr. This includes a weekly report on the stuff I worked on for the Nostr-PHP library. This Drupal website uses the Nostr-PHP for the content crosspost feature, check this note with a demo here: https://njump.me/nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzqpnrnguxe8qszsshvgkvhn6qjzxy7xsvx03rlrtddr62haj4lrm3qy88wumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmv9uq3camnwvaz7tmwdaehgu3wwdjkyctnw35hstnnda3kjctv9uqzqj75dy5eps3lgwum7f9p2l8sywy7wuxjr08pyhzyzv9mklylaydgdyll3z 
• Setup a documentation and educational website for the library: https://nostr-php.dev
• Researching runtime solutions with async and concurrency features
• Met Dries Buytaert at Drupaljam (founder and tech lead of Drupal) who wrote this about Nostr on his blog: https://dri.es/nostr-love-at-first-sight. Here is my recap of the event: https://sebastix.nl/blog/photodump-and-highlights-drupaljam-2024/. I know he is following my contribs by RSS.
• Did a short Nostr introduction in a Dutch webinar (skip to 38m00s) - https://keuzevrijbijmij.webinargeek.com/watch/replay/3487925/f29f93e939ffce35ac4593e407d03a9e/

In July I had two weeks off as a summer holidays with the family.

Plans for Next Quarter

• Attend Nostriga conference in Riga in August
• Finish up the NIP-01 integration with different types of relay responses
• Continue research async, do some benchmarking and it to the library
• Writing more documentation for the https://nostr-php.dev website
• Implement NIP-42
• Implement NIP-50
• Implement NIP-19
• Find other PHP devs in the nostrverse and invite them for contributing to and tinkering with the library
• Attend as a crew volunteer for setting up a Nostr booth at Bitcoin Amsterdam 2024 together with the side-event NostrDam

Use of Funds

• Livings costs
• Visited the NostrDam meetup during the Adopting Bitcoin Arnhem conference (3 days in May)
• BitPopArt created a Nostr-PHP logo - see https://nostr-php.dev/assets/nostr-php_hero-splash.png and https://njump.me/nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzqsa64uxz3ek0kx2mzlhqs0seavay4l06c4xek6a0zup8pmge8c6vqy88wumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmv9uq35amnwvaz7tms09exzmtfvshxv6tpw34xze3wvdhk6tcqypr6u8rc0u5rl283e6humaef5uyynfq5cdnsf08wj6h4nlwtuuk4267kz9a 
• Acquisition of the https://nostr-php.dev domain
• Made a t-shirt with the Nostr-PHP logo

@ 9ca0bd74:4052340b

I don't think clients should assume everyone or most people are joining from bitcointwitter, although that does seem to be the case, it further cements the silo.

I think they do this perhaps unintentionally, perhaps slightly intentionally to retain those users. You see this assumption in user recommendations at onboarding and sidebars of highlighted notes. It screams "hello, bitcointwitter expat, look we have that Natalie Brunel here, and Carla, look Jimmy Song is here... everyone you love is here!" Which imo is totally alienating to anyone outside of this very specific bubble (and even some inside that bubble who are on bitcointwitter but have follows outside of that bubble too).

https://image.nostr.build/5d3af6ea8dc9473a1180c597f69aa90ae5409ca495c69d7e8bad13e6bc100213.jpg

You also see this in responses to the problem people raise of not finding content. The tired response of 'just follow more people' you see in #introductions too. This might be fine if you're coming from bitcointwitter (maybe you want to see a dozen more posts per second of people saying 'stack sats and stay humble' and an ai image of a robot holding a bitcoin, I don't know). But this doesn't help someone looking for other topics. Twitter is bigger than bitcointwitter. People interested in topiary can find that content on twitter, or Herefordshire folklore, an expert in eel migration, or a cultural commentator, or their favourite ayahuasca enema philosopher etc etc. They can find that on wider twitter. No amount of following numbers will help that on nostr. It's not here.... yet. Perhaps recommendations of topic hashtags to follow at the onboarding stage, or RSS feed accounts... or just acknowledging it's not here. I think it's fine to acknowledge this to somehow retain at least a semblance of this not just being a bitcoin telegram group for bitcointourettes.

https://image.nostr.build/53edfb0524086d3a8f5bf8dffe60de177f7436b6eb18c0fed97cffd7e025d228.jpg

@ d830ee7b:4e61cd62

สำหรับชาว Bitcoin ที่ติดตาม RS มาตลอด คงเข้าใจดีว่า Bitcoin คือที่สุดของสกุลเงินดิจิทัล

ใช่แล้วครับ.. Bitcoin ได้รับสมยานามว่าเป็นทองคำดิจิทัล มีค่ามาก ปลอดภัยสูงสุด แต่การทำธุรกรรมบนเลเยอร์ 1 นั้นก็ยังคงยากเย็นแสนเข็ญ

แล้ว Lightning Network ล่ะ?

มันก็เหมือน "ระบบการโอนเงินอย่างรวดเร็ว" (บนเลเยอร์ 2) ที่ทำให้การแลกเปลี่ยน Bitcoin รวดเร็ว ปลอดภัย และค่าธรรมเนียมถูกลง แต่มันก็ยังจำกัดอยู่แค่การแลกเปลี่ยน Bitcoin เท่านั้น

Lnfi (เดิมชื่อ NostrAssets) เคลมว่าแพลตฟอร์มของพวกเขาเปรียบเสมือน "ศูนย์การค้า" ที่อาจจะเปลี่ยนโฉมหน้าของ Bitcoin และ Lightning Network ไปตลอดกาล

โดยมีเป้าหมายที่จะช่วยให้ Bitcoin ไม่ใช่แค่สกุลเงินดิจิทัล แต่ยังเป็นแพลตฟอร์มสำหรับการสร้างแอปพลิเคชันและบริการทางการเงินแบบกระจายอำนาจอีกด้วย

// ข้อมูลนี้เป็นการสรุปจากเอกสารของ Lnfi ผู้ที่สนใจสามารถศึกษาเพิ่มเติมได้ที่เว็บไซต์ของ

https://image.nostr.build/9b746f8cc8db44a0b5380c595e32a2dcfcffbecf97c0718dbed3b02ca01a3dbc.jpg

🤔 Lnfi คืออะไร?

Lnfi นิยามตัวเองว่าเป็น Layer 2.5 ซึ่งเป็นเลเยอร์ที่อยู่ระหว่าง Layer 2 และ Layer 3 โดยทำหน้าที่เชื่อมต่อทั้งสองเลเยอร์เข้าด้วยกัน

พวกเขาระบุว่าเป้าหมายคือการนำ Web3 และโทเค็นมาสู่ Lightning Network และสร้างระบบนิเวศแบบกระจายอำนาจสำหรับแอปพลิเคชัน

🤔 แล้ว Lnfi ทำงานอย่างไร?

Lnfi ใช้ Taproot Assets (เดิมชื่อ Taro) ซึ่งเป็นโปรโตคอลใหม่ ที่ช่วยให้สามารถออกสินทรัพย์ดิจิทัลบนบล็อกเชนของ Bitcoin ได้

สินทรัพย์เหล่านี้จะสามารถโอนผ่าน Lightning Network ได้อย่างราบรื่น Lnfi อ้างว่าสิ่งนี้จะทำให้การทำธุรกรรมรวดเร็ว ปริมาณมาก และมีค่าธรรมเนียมต่ำ

🤔 เจ้า Lnfi มันมีอะไรน่าสนใจบ้าง?

Lnfi ระบุว่าแพลตฟอร์มของพวกเขาทำได้มากกว่าการแลกเปลี่ยน Bitcoin ไม่ได้จำกัดอยู่แค่การแลกเปลี่ยน Bitcoin กันเท่านั้น แต่ยังขยายไปสู่การออกโทเค็น, ระดมทุน, stake, lock, ให้ของขวัญ และซื้อขายสินทรัพย์ดิจิทัลบน Lightning Network ได้

ลองนึกถึงการมี Stablecoin วิ่งอยู่บน Lightning ดูครับ..

Lnfi เชื่อว่ามันจะช่วยลดภาระบล็อกเชนของ Bitcoin ช่วยให้การทำธุรกรรม Bitcoin บนเลเยอร์ 1 ราบรื่นขึ้น (เพราะไม่ได้วิ่งบนเลเยอร์ 1) ช่วยเพิ่มทราฟฟิกและการใช้งานบนเลเยอร์ชั้นถัดไป.. ทำให้เกิด Adoption ได้ง่ายขึ้น

นอกจากนี้ Lnfi ยังเคลมว่าแพลตฟอร์มของพวกเขาใช้งานง่ายด้วยภาษาธรรมชาติ โดยผู้ใช้สามารถใช้คำสั่งภาษาธรรมชาติ (ภาษาพูดธรรมดา) ผ่าน Nostr Protocol เพื่อโต้ตอบกับ Lnfi ได้อย่างง่ายดาย

ผู้ใช้สามารถส่งคำสั่งผ่านแอปพลิเคชัน Nostr เช่น Damus เพื่อสั่งให้ Lnfi ดำเนินการต่างๆ เช่น การโอนสินทรัพย์ เป็นต้น (สามารถศึกษาเพิ่มเติมได้ในเอกสารของ Lnfi)

Lnfi อ้างว่าธุรกรรมทั้งหมดบนแพลตฟอร์มไม่มีค่าธรรมเนียม อย่างไรก็ตามควรตรวจสอบข้อมูลนี้อีกครั้งจากเอกสารของ Lnfi

ในด้านความปลอดภัยและความโปร่งใส Lnfi ระบุว่าการดำเนินการทั้งหมดของผู้ใช้จะถูกเข้ารหัสและสามารถตรวจสอบได้บน NostrAssets Explorer

และ Lnfi ยังอ้างว่าแพลตฟอร์มของพวกเขามีประสิทธิภาพสูง เพราะสามารถรองรับธุรกรรมจำนวนมากต่อวินาที (TPS) ได้

https://image.nostr.build/7eeaf1a10b1afb6e8d6d1e546793ea253de671176754fb350cca3f790ed153e7.jpg

บริการต่างๆ บนแพลตฟอร์ม Lnfi

MicroNode บริการที่ Lnfi เคลมว่าจะช่วยให้ผู้ใช้สามารถตั้งค่าและจัดการ Lightning Node บนคลาวด์ได้ โดยไม่ต้องมีความรู้ทางเทคนิค ผู้ใช้สามารถควบคุม Bitcoin ของตนเองได้อย่างเต็มที่ โดย MicroNode จะทำหน้าที่เป็น Lightning Node ให้กับผู้ใช้ โดย Lnfi จะดูแลเรื่องการติดตั้งและดูแลเซิร์ฟเวอร์ให้

Lightning Starter แพลตฟอร์มที่ Lnfi อ้างว่าจะช่วยให้โครงการต่างๆ สามารถระดมทุนและออกโทเค็นได้อย่างยุติธรรมและโปร่งใส

LN Exchange แพลตฟอร์มการแลกเปลี่ยนแบบกระจายอำนาจสำหรับการซื้อขาย Bitcoin และ Taproot Assets ที่ Lnfi เคลมว่าจะรวดเร็ว ปลอดภัย และค่าธรรมเนียมต่ำ

เวิร์คช็อป Lnfi ในเวที Advanced Stage ของงาน #TBC2024 (วันที่ 14 กันยายน 2567)

เวิร์คช็อป Lnfi จะเป็นโอกาสดี ที่เราจะได้เรียนรู้เพิ่มเติมเกี่ยวกับแพลตฟอร์มนี้จากผู้เชี่ยวชาญโดยตรง เตรียมตัวให้พร้อมกับคำถามที่น่าสนใจ แล้วมาพบกันในงานครับ..

https://image.nostr.build/ca3da44972ebbe48f39fe842834e1679202c17f180cf017fb705420a09154457.jpg

เนื้อหาเสริม..

เจาะลึกคำว่า Layer 2.5 และหลักการทำงานของ Lnfi

ในโลกของบล็อกเชน คำว่า "เลเยอร์" (Layer) มักถูกใช้เพื่ออธิบายระดับต่างๆ ของโครงสร้างพื้นฐาน ซึ่ง Bitcoin เองก็มีเลเยอร์ต่างๆ อยู่เช่นกัน เพื่อเพิ่มประสิทธิภาพและความสามารถในการใช้งาน

เลเยอร์ 1 (Layer 1): คือบล็อกเชนหลักของ Bitcoin ที่บันทึกธุรกรรมทั้งหมด เป็นเหมือนฐานรากของระบบ เรียกว่า Base Layer หรือเลเยอร์ชั้นฐาน (บ้างก็เรียก Bitcoin Chain, Main Chain คือเชนหลักที่ Settle ธุรกรรมในทุกๆ ประมาณ 10 นาทีนั่นเอง)

เลเยอร์ 2 (Layer 2): ถูกสร้างขึ้นบนเลเยอร์ 1 เพื่อเพิ่มความเร็วและลดค่าธรรมเนียมในการทำธุรกรรม (Scaling) ตัวอย่างเช่น Lightning Network, โปรโตคอล ARK เป็นต้น

เลเยอร์ 3 (Layer 3): มักจะเกี่ยวข้องกับแอปพลิเคชันและบริการที่สร้างขึ้นบนเลเยอร์ 2 อีกที เช่น แอปพลิเคชันกระเป๋าเงินต่างๆ

แล้ว Layer 2.5 ล่ะ? มันอยู่ตรงไหน?

🤔 Layer 2.5 คืออะไร?

Layer 2.5 เป็นเลเยอร์ที่อยู่ระหว่าง Layer 2 และ Layer 3 ทำหน้าที่เชื่อมต่อทั้งสองเลเยอร์เข้าด้วยกัน และเพิ่มขีดความสามารถให้กับทั้งสองเลเยอร์

Lnfi ก็คือ Layer 2.5 นั่นเองครับ (Lnfi นิยามตัวเองว่าเป็น Layer 2.5)

โดย Lnfi ทำหน้าที่เชื่อมต่อ Lightning Network (Layer 2) และ Nostr Protocol (ซึ่งอาจจัดได้ว่าเป็น Layer 3) เข้าด้วยกัน เพื่อให้สามารถออกโทเค็นและสร้างแอปพลิเคชันแบบกระจายอำนาจได้

📌 หลักการทำงานของ Lnfi

Lnfi ทำหน้าที่เป็นสะพานเชื่อมระหว่าง Bitcoin, Lightning Network และ Nostr Protocol โดยใช้ประโยชน์จากจุดแข็งของแต่ละเลเยอร์ เพื่อสร้างแพลตฟอร์มทางการเงินแบบกระจายอำนาจที่มีประสิทธิภาพสูง

• "Bitcoin" เป็นรากฐานของระบบนิเวศ Lnfi โดย Lnfi จะใช้ Bitcoin เป็นสินทรัพย์หลักและเป็นเลเยอร์สำหรับการบันทึกข้อมูลขั้นสุดท้าย (final settlement)

• "Lightning Network" Lnfi จะใช้ Lightning Network เพื่อเพิ่มความเร็วและลดค่าธรรมเนียมในการทำธุรกรรม ทำให้การโอน Bitcoin และ Taproot Assets รวดเร็วและมีประสิทธิภาพมากยิ่งขึ้น

• "Taproot Assets" (TARO เดิม) เป็นโปรโตคอลที่ช่วยให้สามารถออกสินทรัพย์ดิจิทัลบนบล็อกเชนของ Bitcoin ได้ (Tokenization) โดย Lnfi ใช้ Taproot Assets เพื่อสร้างโทเค็นและสินทรัพย์ดิจิทัลอื่นๆ ขึ้นมา (Mint)

• "Nostr Protocol" เป็นโปรโตคอลแบบกระจายอำนาจสำหรับการส่งข้อความและข้อมูล Lnfi อ้างว่าผู้ใช้สามารถใช้คำสั่งภาษาธรรมชาติผ่าน Nostr Protocol เพื่อโต้ตอบกับแพลตฟอร์มได้ และสร้างแอปพลิเคชันแบบกระจายอำนาจขึ้นมา

📌 Lnfi ทำงานผ่าน LN Assets Daemon (LAD)

LAD เป็นกระบวนการเบื้องหลังที่ทำหน้าที่เป็นตัวกลางระหว่าง Taproot Assets, Lightning Network และ Nostr Protocol

LAD จะช่วยให้ผู้ใช้สามารถ..

• ฝากและถอน Bitcoin และ Taproot Assets

• โอนสินทรัพย์ระหว่างบัญชี Nostr

• ซื้อขาย Bitcoin และ Taproot Assets บน LN Exchange

• จัดการ Lightning Node ผ่าน MicroNode

หมายเหตุ

บทความนี้จัดทำขึ้นเพื่อเป็นการสรุปข้อมูลที่เผยแพร่โดย Lnfi เท่านั้น โดยมีเจตนาเพื่อนำเสนอข้อมูลเบื้องต้น และเปิดโอกาสให้ผู้อ่านได้ศึกษาเพิ่มเติมเกี่ยวกับโปรเจคนี้ ผู้เขียนไม่ได้มีส่วนเกี่ยวข้องกับ Lnfi และไม่ได้มีเจตนาชี้ชวนให้เชื่อหรือสนับสนุนโปรเจคนี้แต่อย่างใด

ข้อมูลและข้อความในบทความนี้อาจไม่สมบูรณ์หรือล้าสมัยในอนาคตหลังจากนี้ ผู้อ่านควรศึกษาข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมจากแหล่งข้อมูลอื่นๆ และทำการตรวจสอบข้อเท็จจริงด้วยตนเองก่อนตัดสินใจลงทุนหรือดำเนินการใดๆ ที่เกี่ยวข้องกับ Lnfi

การลงทุนในสินทรัพย์ดิจิทัลมีความเสี่ยงสูง ผู้อ่านควรศึกษาและทำความเข้าใจความเสี่ยงต่างๆ ก่อนตัดสินใจลงทุน

---

Your truly, Jakk Goodday 🥳

@ 5b0183ab:a114563e

While we watch the world slip further and further into geo political turmoil it's adundently clear that information will be a choke point and platforms will bend the knee, or suffer consequences. We recently witnessed the threat of TikTok take down, X being targeted by the EU for misinformation, and now the CEO of Telegram being arrested in France.

But I am not hear to talk about CEO's, massive corporate conglomerates, or government overreach.... I am here to talk about the everyday internet citizen making a livelihood on the internet. The bakery owner, the tech company, the real estate agent, the YouTube content creator, the podcast extraordinaire and on and on. Anyone making a living within the walled garden of a platform are reliant upon the choices that one company makes.

You see unlike platforms, Nostr is a censorship resistant, permissionless protocol in which you create your identity on. It's decentralized cohesion with no single point of failure. It sets your profile free of any barrier of departure. When you build your brand on one client (app) it works in the next. Your followers, your follows, your communication, your entire social graph is present and interoperable. For the first time, all the time you spent cultivating your livelihood is truly owned by you.

So let's zoom out and talk about what this revolutionary approach achieves. This shifts the power back to the individual. Clients are beholden to your needs, your desires. The free market of choice is achieved by demand for certain features, certain algorithms, certain actions. We are no longer beholden to the choices of few that can decimate our livelihoods. Clients become powerless to free market will. We are never sold out in the form of a privacy policy update, added fees or any other sly roundabout way of profiteering without consequences. When users wield the power, they dictate demand which in turn drives client innovation.

When we look back at the past few decades we see the variation of fads, the build ups of platforms and the ultimate demise of technological cycles. AOL, Myspace, Facebook, Snapchat, etc.... Would if your work you put into those platforms building your brand, your time.... was transferrable? As in, your brand lives on and you do not need to "start over?"

You see, this is exactly what Nostr provides. Nostr captures your time and builds value through time. This is revolutionary in a day and age where you are the product within the silos.

Over the past couple years we have seen an explosion of Nostr clients hit the ecosystem. Everything you can possibly want and desire as a creator or consumer is being built on Nostr, or can be. While it is very much early, it is growing at a steady pace and the time is now to own your piece of internet sovereignty.

In closing, I will leave you with this.... Based off history we can easily predict what platforms will do over time. What we cannot predict is what Nostr will do in time, and that's the most exciting part.

@ a19bc0c4:cee25620

No one knows who Q is, but it surely seems to point toward the stars. If humanity is slowly ascending, then it would make sense that it might encounter some manner of entity from other worlds. Indeed, most conspiracy-minded folks have long suspected Intelligence Agencies of having contact with things they are not talking about.

Q, though, existed as a clearance well before any of that. The question becomes then, who is Q in the boots on the ground sense?

@ b83a28b7:35919450

On last week's episode of Plebchain Radio, QW and I announced something unusual - we would be taking a week off posting kind 1 notes on the Twitter clone clients - Primal, Damus, Nostur, etc. The clock started right after our show was posted on Friday, August 23rd and ends with show this Friday, August 30th.

https://video.nostr.build/741cd7a0dd33e1ce815490d14069af96579ce47c92ea04240592c7bbb2de3a65.mp4

The idea behind the challenge is to see how much we can participate in the network without resorting to it's most accessible form of communication - kind 1 notes (the equivalent of tweets/replies).

Halfway into the challenge, we've boosted and commented on shows on Fountain, zapped songs on Wavlake, commented on recipes on zap.cooking, watched videos on zap.stream and tunestr, and written the odd long-form note (oh, alright, just this one so far). It's been fun, but has also created an odd sense of sensory deprivation.

We will share more details on our experience on this week's Plebchain Radio episode. Right, I'm off to explore the rest of the other-stuff-verse. I'd urge everyone to give this challenge a try. It might change how you view nostr.

@ af9c48b7:a3f7aaf4

Chef's notes

Easy recipe with simple ingredients. This recipe uses some store bought, precooked items as way to cut down on cook time. I recommend letting the vegetables thaw if you don't like them on the firm/crunchy side.Feel free to substitute fresh ingredients if you have the time and want to make the extra effort.

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 20 min
• 🍳 Cook time: 50 min
• 🍽️ Servings: 8-10

Ingredients

• 2 (8 oz) packages refrigerated crescent rolls (dough sheets preferred)
• 1 pound cooked rotisserie chicken (deboned and chopped)
• 2 table spoons of butter
• 2 (10 once) packages of frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 (15 once can sliced potatoes (drained)
• 1 (10.5 once) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 (10.5 once) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• salt and ground pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line the botton of 9x13-inch baking dish with one can of crescent roll dough. If you don't get the sheet dough, be sure to pinch the seams together.
2. Melt the butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Then add the chicken, mixed vegetables, and sliced potatoes (recommend cutting into smaller pieces). Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are thawed and mixture is heated through, 5 to 7 minutes.
3. While the mixed vegetables are heating, warm both cans of condensed soup in a seperate pan over medium-low heat. Slowly add milk and cook, stirring frequently, until combined and heated through, about 3 minutes.
4. Add the soup mixture to the chicken mixture, then pour into the baking dish. Top with the second can of crescent roll dough. Feel free to cut some slits in dough if you are using the dough sheets. Cover lightly with foil to prevent the crescent roll dough from browning too quickly.
5. Bake in oven until heated through and dough is a golden brown. Cook time should be around 45-50 minutes I reommend removing the foil for the last 10 minutes to get a golden crust. Be sure to keep a close watch on the crust after removing the foil because it will brown quickly.

@ b83a28b7:35919450

https://image.nostr.build/df0721d6d45d82db35d06663a0318ffe68c0b2b3c694888d23694efcc4255de5.gif

@ d830ee7b:4e61cd62

เรื่องมันมีอยู่ว่า.. เมื่อไม่นานมานี้พึ่งเกิดข่าวใหญ่สะเทือนวงการเทคฯ เมื่อ Pavel Durov ผู้ก่อตั้ง Telegram แอปฯ แชทสีฟ้าขวัญใจมหาชน โดนรวบตัวคาสนามบินที่ฝรั่งเศส

เหตุการณ์นี้เป็นเหมือนสัญญาณเตือนภัยถึงเสรีภาพในโลกดิจิทัลที่กำลังถูกสั่นคลอน..

https://image.nostr.build/85d4e936e765e2f08596c278369bf258d2bcf85566817521ac73eebaf37fbc07.jpg

ก่อนอื่น.. ต้องยอมรับว่า Telegram นั้นเหนือกว่า Line, WhatsApp, Messenger ที่หลายคนคุ้นเคย

แต่เพราะอะไรล่ะ?

Telegram ไม่ได้เป็นเพียงแค่แอปพลิเคชันแชททั่วไป แต่เป็นแพลตฟอร์มที่ให้ความสำคัญกับความเป็นส่วนตัวอย่างแท้จริง ทุกข้อความ รูปภาพ และวิดีโอที่ส่งผ่าน Telegram จะถูกเข้ารหัสทันที (End-to-End Encryption)

และจะมีเพียงผู้ส่งและผู้รับเท่านั้นที่สามารถถอดรหัสได้ แม้แต่ทีมงานของ Telegram เองก็ไม่สามารถเข้าถึงข้อมูลเหล่านั้นได้

นั่นทำให้มั่นใจได้ว่าทุกการสื่อสารจะเป็นส่วนตัวและปลอดภัยอย่างแท้จริง ต่างจากแอปพลิเคชันอื่นๆ ที่มักมีข่าวข้อมูลรั่วไหลอยู่บ่อยครั้ง

นอกจากนี้ Telegram ยังยืนหยัดในการต่อต้านการเซ็นเซอร์ทุกรูปแบบ ด้วยระบบการทำงานแบบกระจายศูนย์ที่ไม่มีเซิร์ฟเวอร์กลาง ทำให้ยากต่อการควบคุมหรือปิดกั้น แม้รัฐบาลจะสั่งแบน แต่ Telegram ก็ยังคงสามารถเข้าถึงได้จากทุกมุมโลก

นี่จึงเป็นเหตุผลที่ Telegram ได้รับความนิยมอย่างมากในประเทศที่ปกครองด้วยระบอบเผด็จการ เพราะมันเป็นเครื่องมือสำคัญในการต่อสู้เพื่อประชาธิปไตย

ยิ่งไปกว่านั้น Telegram ยังโดดเด่นด้วยฟีเจอร์ที่หลากหลายและครบครัน ไม่ว่าจะเป็นการสร้างกลุ่ม ช่อง การใช้งานบอท การส่งสติกเกอร์ การโหวต และการโอนเงินด้วยคริปโตฯ เรียกได้ว่าเป็นศูนย์รวมทุกอย่างไว้ในแอปพลิเคชันเดียว

https://image.nostr.build/4e8d6569ee30cf14ab59861eede241ecf1e3a7440bdfa61ad6027187417b782c.jpg

ที่สำคัญ Telegram ได้พิสูจน์ตัวเองในฐานะฮีโร่ในยามวิกฤตมาแล้ว ตัวอย่างเช่น..

ช่วงสงครามรัสเซีย-ยูเครน Telegram กลายเป็นเครื่องมือสำคัญในการแชร์ข่าว เตือนภัย ระดมทุน และประสานงานช่วยเหลือผู้คน นี่คือบทพิสูจน์ที่ชัดเจนว่าเทคโนโลยีสามารถสร้าง "ความเปลี่ยนแปลง" ได้อย่างแท้จริง

ด้วยความเหนือชั้นที่ว่ามา.. จึงไม่แปลกใจเลยที่ Telegram จะมีผู้ใช้งานทั่วโลกกว่า 900 ล้านคน

นอกจากนี้ Pavel Durov ผู้สร้าง Telegram ก็เคยสร้าง VK โซเชียลดังในรัสเซีย แต่สุดท้ายก็ต้องหนี เพราะไม่ยอมให้รัฐบาลมาล้วงข้อมูลผู้ใช้ และครั้งนี้ก็เช่นกัน..

การที่ Durov โดนจับที่ฝรั่งเศส มันทำให้อดคิดไม่ได้ว่า อาจจะมีเงื่อนงำบางอย่างซ่อนอยู่ก็เป็นได้.. (Don’t trust, verify)

(เหล่านี้เป็นเพียงการตั้งสมมติฐาน ซึ่งไม่มีหลักฐานยืนยันที่ชัดเจนแต่อย่างใด โปรดใช้วิจารณญาณในการอ่าน..)

ข้อสันนิษฐานที่ว่า Telegram อาจมีความสัมพันธ์กับรัสเซีย แม้จะพยายามแสดงจุดยืนเป็นกลางและเป็นอิสระจากรัฐบาลก็ตาม ก็คือช่องทางอย่าง Toncoin

Toncoin เดิมทีมีชื่อว่า Telegram Open Network (TON) และถูกพัฒนาโดยทีม Telegram นำโดย Durov เอง (และ Durov ก็เป็นชาวรัสเซีย)

แม้ต่อมา Telegram จะอ้างว่าตัดความสัมพันธ์กับ Toncoin ไปแล้ว (แต่ความสัมพันธ์ในอดีตก็ยังถูกหยิบยกมาเป็นข้อกังขาได้) โดยเฉพาะเมื่อพิจารณาว่ารัสเซียกำลังมีข้อพิพาทกับใครอยู่บ้าง..

มีรายงานว่า Toncoin ระดมทุนจากนักลงทุนชาวรัสเซียจำนวนมาก ซึ่งอาจบ่งชี้ถึงความเชื่อมโยงกับกลุ่มทุนในรัสเซีย

หรือการจับกุม Durov ครั้งนี้อาจเป็นแผนการเล่นเกมส์การเมืองระดับโลกก็เป็นได้ บางทีนี่อาจเป็นการเชือดไก่ให้ลิงดู แสดงให้เห็นถึงแสนยานุภาพของชาติมหาอำนาจที่ต้องการควบคุม Telegram เพราะหวั่นเกรงว่ามันจะเป็นเครื่องมือปลุกระดมมวลชน

ที่ผ่านมา Telegram ถูกใช้เป็นเครื่องมือในการต่อสู้เรียกร้องประชาธิปไตยมาแล้วหลายครั้ง ไม่ว่าจะเป็นการประท้วงในฮ่องกง การเคลื่อนไหวทางการเมืองในเบลารุส หรือการต่อต้านรัฐประหารในเมียนมาร์

ยิ่งไปกว่านั้น.. ในโลกยุคดิจิทัลที่ "ข้อมูลมีค่ากว่าทองคำ” ใครก็ตามที่สามารถควบคุม Telegram ได้ ก็เท่ากับควบคุมกระบอกเสียงที่ทรงพลัง สามารถชี้นำความคิด สร้างกระแส และควบคุมมวลชนได้อย่างง่ายดาย

หรือบางที Durov อาจไปขัดขาผลประโยชน์ของใครบางคนใน Silicon Valley จนถูกสั่งเก็บในรูปแบบนี้ อย่าลืมว่าเบื้องหลังวงการเทคโนโลยีนั้นโหดร้ายกว่าที่เราคิด และบริษัทเทคฯ ยักษ์ใหญ่ต่างก็มีสายสัมพันธ์อันดีกับรัฐบาล

ไม่ใช่เพียงแค่รัฐบาลยุโรปที่ Durov มีปัญหา เพราะแม้แต่ FBI ของอเมริกายังเคยพยายามแทรกแซง Telegram มาแล้ว

มีรายงานว่า FBI พยายามติดต่อ Durov หลายครั้ง ทั้งขู่ ทั้งล่อ ให้เปิดเผยข้อมูลผู้ใช้ แถมยังชวนวิศวกรในทีม Telegram ให้แอบใส่ช่องโหว่ในระบบอีกต่างหาก แต่ Durov และทีมงานก็แน่วแน่ไม่หวั่นไหว

พวกเขายืนหยัดปกป้องข้อมูลผู้ใช้ราวกับเป็นนักรบ จน FBI ต้องถอยทัพกลับไปแบบหน้าแตกยับเยิน

https://image.nostr.build/d2b0dae3bc84034af3d5cc068f15b223511acd2c8e378da1ade3d3c845e88332.jpg

มีบุคคลสำคัญที่ออกมาแสดงความคิดเห็นต่อกรณีนี้ ได้แก่ Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Elon Musk และ Chris Pavlovski ซีอีโอของ Rumble

โดย Kennedy ได้เน้นย้ำถึงความสำคัญเร่งด่วนในการปกป้องเสรีภาพในการพูด ในขณะที่ Musk เรียกร้องให้ปล่อยตัว Durov หลายครั้ง ส่วน Pavlovski วิจารณ์การกระทำของฝรั่งเศสโดยมองว่าเป็นการล้ำเส้นในเรื่องของการเซ็นเซอร์

พวกเขามองว่าการจับกุม Durov เป็นส่วนหนึ่งของปัญหาใหญ่ที่เกี่ยวกับเสรีภาพทางอินเทอร์เน็ตและการควบคุมของรัฐบาลต่อแพลตฟอร์มดิจิทัล

การจับกุมครั้งนี้จุดประกายการถกเถียงอย่างดุเดือดเกี่ยวกับความสมดุลระหว่างเสรีภาพและการควบคุมในยุคดิจิทัล โดย Telegram กลายเป็นสมรภูมิสำคัญ

กรณีนี้ชวนให้ตั้งคำถามสำคัญเกี่ยวกับอนาคตของเสรีภาพออนไลน์และบทบาทของเทคโนโลยีในสังคม..

https://image.nostr.build/31b1fa6cf2a4a67aebe473d03d9d542295de6e35640e14aab99fd9b899fa1bd6.jpg

Telegram กับ Youtube บทเรียนราคาแพงของการเซ็นเซอร์

การจับกุม Durov เกิดขึ้นในช่วงเวลาไล่เลี่ยกับกรณีของ “Simply Bitcoin” ช่อง Youtube ที่สอนเรื่อง Bitcoin ที่มียอดผู้ติดตามกว่า 2 ล้านคน ถูก Youtube ปิดกั้นโดยให้เหตุผลว่า "ละเมิดนโยบาย" ซึ่งเป็นข้อกล่าวหาที่คลุมเครือและไม่มีหลักฐานอะไรชัดเจน

เหตุการณ์นี้แสดงให้เห็นว่า.. แม้แต่แพลตฟอร์มที่ดูเหมือนเปิดกว้างอย่าง Youtube ก็ยังสามารถตกเป็นเครื่องมือของการเซ็นเซอร์ได้

https://image.nostr.build/c16f0b0f3ca942467ca598397dadb82f6452c58403402e6fee900ca513aae244.jpg

เมื่อรัฐบาลและบริษัทเทคโนโลยียักษ์ใหญ่ต่างก็ต้องการควบคุมข้อมูล คำถามคือ.. เราจะทำอย่างไรจึงจะมีอิสรภาพในโลกออนไลน์ได้อย่างแท้จริง?

คำตอบที่ชัดเจนที่สุดในตอนนี้ก็คือ Decentralization หรือระบบที่ไม่มีศูนย์กลาง ซึ่งจะทำให้ไม่มีใครสามารถควบคุมได้

ตัวอย่างที่เห็นได้ชัดคือ “บิตคอยน์” สกุลเงินดิจิทัลที่ปราศจากการควบคุมจากรัฐบาลหรือธนาคารใดๆ ทุกคนมีสิทธิ์เข้าถึงและเป็นเจ้าของบิตคอยน์ได้อย่างเท่าเทียม และสามารถทำธุรกรรมทางการเงินได้โดยไม่ต้องผ่านคนกลาง

ไม่เพียงเท่านั้น.. โลกโซเชียลมีเดียก็กำลังมุ่งหน้าสู่ Decentralization เช่นเดียวกัน แพลตฟอร์มอย่าง Nostr ที่ใช้ระบบกระจายศูนย์ ไม่มีบริษัทหรือองค์กรใดเป็นเจ้าของ ทำให้ผู้ใช้งานทุกคนมีอิสระในการแสดงความคิดเห็น โดยไม่ต้องกังวลว่าจะถูกปิดกั้นหรือโดนลบโพสต์

นี่คือภาพสะท้อนของอนาคตแห่งโลกออนไลน์ที่แท้จริง โลกที่ทุกคนจะมีอำนาจเท่าเทียมกัน และมีอิสรภาพในการเข้าถึงข้อมูลและแสดงความคิดเห็นได้อย่างแท้จริง

การเดินทางสู่โลก Decentralization นั้นอาจฟังดูเป็นเรื่องไกลตัว แต่จริงๆ แล้วมันใกล้ตัวเรามากกว่าที่คิด

เริ่มต้นง่ายๆ ด้วยการเปิดใจเรียนรู้ ทำความเข้าใจกับเทคโนโลยีใหม่ๆ อย่าง Bitcoin, Nostr ซึ่งมีข้อมูลมากมายรอให้คุณค้นคว้า

อย่ากลัวที่จะลอง ลงมือทำ ทดลองใช้ สร้างความคุ้นเคยกับแพลตฟอร์มเหล่านี้ อาจจะเริ่มจากการสมัคร Nostr ผ่านแอป #Wherostr โหลดมาลองโพสต์ แชร์ คุยกับเพื่อนๆ

ยิ่งมีผู้คนใช้งานมากเท่าไหร่ ระบบก็จะยิ่งแข็งแกร่ง และอำนาจก็จะยิ่งกระจายมากขึ้นเท่านั้น

ถึงเวลาแล้วที่เราต้องตั้งคำถามกับตัวเอง เราคิดอย่างไรกับการเซ็นเซอร์ข้อมูลบนโลกออนไลน์?

เราเชื่อหรือไม่ว่า Bitcoin, Nostr และ Decentralization จะสามารถเปลี่ยนแปลงโลกได้จริง?

และที่สำคัญที่สุด เราพร้อมที่จะก้าวเข้าสู่โลก Decentralization แล้วหรือยัง?

อนาคตของโลกดิจิทัลอยู่ในมือของพวกเราทุกคน อย่ายอมเป็นเบี้ยภายใต้การควบคุม แต่จงลุกขึ้นสู้เพื่ออิสรภาพของเราเอง

— Jakk Goodday (เจ้าเก่า)

@ d830ee7b:4e61cd62

ในโลกของเหรียญดิจิทัล ที่แสงสีเสียงดังแข่งกันโครมๆ ระยิบระยับราวกับงานวัด มีหนึ่งตำนานที่ถูกจารึกไว้ในหน้าประวัติศาสตร์อย่างไม่อาจลบเลือนได้ ตำนานที่สร้างบาดแผลให้กับนักลงทุนหลายหมื่นคนทั่วโลก และเป็นเสมือนตราบาปที่คอยฉุดรั้งการเติบโตของวงการบิตคอยน์เอาไว้อย่างยาวนาน...

..ตำนานนั้นมีชื่อว่า “Mt. Gox” ศูนย์กลางการซื้อขายบิตคอยน์ที่ครั้งหนึ่งเคยยิ่งใหญ่ที่สุดในโลก แต่วันนี้เหลือเพียงซากปรักหักพังและตำนานแห่งความเจ็บปวด

https://image.nostr.build/f45d069f4113ea9a28bbacb8da44d19899b42685825e8e8c0e8c42286fa22995.jpg

หายนะที่ทำให้บิตคอยน์ประมาณ 850,000 BTC มูลค่ากว่า 460 ล้านดอลลาร์สหรัฐในขณะนั้น (หรือราวๆ 4 หมื่นล้านดอลลาร์สหรัฐ (ราว 1.36 ล้านล้านบาท) ในปัจจุบัน) หายวับไปกับตา!

เรื่องนี้มันเกิดขึ้นได้ยังไง? อะไรที่ทำให้เว็บเทรดที่เคยยิ่งใหญ่ที่สุดในโลกต้องล่มสลายลง?

และที่สำคัญที่สุด... เราเรียนรู้อะไรได้บ้างจากหายนะในครั้งนี้?

บทความนี้จะพาคุณย้อนรอยไปสำรวจเรื่องราวทั้งหมดของ Mt. Gox ตั้งแต่จุดเริ่มต้นที่แสนจะธรรมดา ไปจนถึงจุดจบที่น่าสลดหดหู่ พร้อมกับบทเรียนราคาแพงที่เราทุกคนควรจดจำเอาไว้ให้ขึ้นใจ (ยาวนะครับ..)

// จากเว็บเทรดการ์ดเกมสู่ศูนย์กลางบิตคอยน์

เรื่องราวของ Mt. Gox เริ่มต้นขึ้นในปี 2006 ไม่ใช่ด้วยบิตคอยน์อย่างที่หลายคนเข้าใจ แต่เริ่มจาก Jed McCaleb โปรแกรมเมอร์หนุ่มผู้คลั่งไคล้ในการ์ดเกม "Magic: The Gathering Online" ที่อยากจะสร้างเว็บไซต์สำหรับเทรดการ์ดเกมออนไลน์

ชื่อ Mt. Gox ก็มาจาก "Magic: The Gathering Online eXchange" นั่นเองครับ..

ในช่วงแรกๆ Mt. Gox ก็เป็นแค่เว็บเล็กๆ ที่ไม่ค่อยมีคนรู้จัก แต่แล้วในปี 2010 จุดเปลี่ยนก็เกิดขึ้น..

McCaleb ได้รู้จักกับบิตคอยน์สกุลเงินดิจิทัลน้องใหม่ที่กำลังมาแรง และเขาตัดสินใจเปลี่ยน Mt. Gox ให้กลายเป็นศูนย์กลางการซื้อขายบิตคอยน์มันซะเลย!

การตัดสินใจครั้งนี้ถือเป็นจุดเปลี่ยนสำคัญที่ทำให้ Mt. Gox กลายเป็นตำนาน

ในยุคนั้นบิตคอยน์ยังเป็นเรื่องใหม่มากๆ คนส่วนใหญ่ยังไม่รู้จัก ไม่เข้าใจ แถมยังมองว่ามันเป็นของเล่นไร้สาระสำหรับพวก Geek เท่านั้น แต่ McCaleb เขามองเห็นศักยภาพของมัน เขาเชื่อว่าบิตคอยน์จะเปลี่ยนโลก!

Mt. Gox จึงกลายเป็นแพลตฟอร์มซื้อขายบิตคอยน์แห่งแรกๆ ของโลกและมันก็เติบโตอย่างรวดเร็ว.. เร็วแบบติดจรวดเลยล่ะครับ เพราะในตอนนั้นมันแทบไม่มีคู่แข่งเลย ใครอยากซื้อขายบิตคอยน์ก็ต้องมาที่ Mt. Gox นักลงทุนทั่วโลกแห่กันมาที่นี่ ทำให้ Mt. Gox กลายเป็นศูนย์กลางของตลาดบิตคอยน์

ในช่วงพีคๆ Mt. Gox เคย handle การซื้อขาย Bitcoin มากกว่า 70% ของทั้งโลก!

นึกภาพตามนะครับ..

ในยุคนั้นบิตคอยน์ยังเป็นเหมือนดินแดนป่าเถื่อน ไม่มีกฎหมาย ไม่มีการควบคุม ใครอยากทำอะไรก็ทำ Mt. Gox ก็เลยเหมือนเป็นเสมือนนายอำเภอที่คอยดูแลความสงบเรียบร้อยในเมือง..

ภายใต้เงาอำนาจ..

ในปี 2011, McCaleb ตัดสินใจขาย Mt. Gox ให้กับ Mark Karpelès โปรแกรมเมอร์ชาวฝรั่งเศสที่อาศัยอยู่ในญี่ปุ่น Karpelès เข้ามาบริหาร Mt. Gox ต่อ และพยายามขยายธุรกิจให้เติบโตยิ่งขึ้นไปอีก

แต่.. การเติบโตอย่างรวดเร็วนั้น ก็มาพร้อมกับปัญหา

ปัญหาแรกเลยก็คือเรื่อง "ความปลอดภัย"

ในปี 2011 Mt. Gox โดนแฮ็กครั้งแรก บิตคอยน์ประมาณ 25,000 BTC ถูกขโมยไป ตอนนั้นมันอาจจะดูไม่เยอะ แต่ถ้าคิดเป็นมูลค่าในปัจจุบันก็หลายหมื่นล้านบาทอยู่นะครับ

และนี่เป็นแค่จุดเริ่มต้นของหายนะ...

ปัญหาที่สอง คือ "การบริหารจัดการอันห่วยแตก"

Karpelès ไม่ได้เป็นนักธุรกิจมืออาชีพ เขาเป็นแค่โปรแกรมเมอร์ที่หลงใหลในบิตคอยน์ เขาขาดประสบการณ์ในการบริหารจัดการบริษัทขนาดใหญ่

Mt. Gox เริ่มมีปัญหาภายใน ทั้งเรื่องการเงิน การจัดการ และความโปร่งใส ลูกค้าเริ่มบ่นว่าถอนเงินไม่ได้ ระบบมีปัญหา

และที่สำคัญ.. Karpelès ไม่ได้ให้ความสำคัญกับเรื่อง "ความปลอดภัย" มากพอนัก

เขาคิดว่า Mt. Gox มันใหญ่เกินกว่าจะล้มได้ ใครจะกล้ามาแหยม?

..แต่เขาคิดผิด.. อย่างมหันต์

จุดจบของตำนาน..

ในเดือนกุมภาพันธ์ 2014, Mt. Gox ประกาศระงับการถอนเงินทั้งหมด อ้างว่าระบบมีปัญหา.. กำลังทำการแก้ไข

แต่มันไม่ใช่แค่ปัญหาเล็กๆ น้อยๆ.. มันคือหายนะครั้งใหญ่หลวง!

บิตคอยน์กว่า 850,000 BTC มูลค่ากว่า 460 ล้านดอลลาร์สหรัฐในตอนนั้นหายไปจาก Mt. Gox ไม่ใช่แค่เงินของลูกค้า.. แต่เป็นเงินของ Mt. Gox เองด้วย

Karpelès ออกมาแถลงข่าวด้วยน้ำตาคลอเบ้า บอกว่า Bitcoin ถูกขโมยไปจากการโดนแฮ็ก..

โลกทั้งใบแทบแตก! นักลงทุนช็อก! ราคาบิตคอยน์ร่วงระนาว! ความเชื่อมั่นในตลาดคริปโตฯ สั่นคลอน!

Mt. Gox ล้มละลาย.. และกลายเป็นตำนานแห่งหายนะที่ไม่มีใครลืม..

บทเรียนราคาแพงที่เราต้องจดจำ

การล่มสลายของ Mt. Gox เป็นเหมือนระเบิดปรมาณูที่ถล่มวงการบิตคอยน์ มันทำให้คนทั่วโลกตระหนักถึงความเสี่ยงของคริปโตเคอเรนซี และความสำคัญของการเลือกใช้แพลตฟอร์มที่ "ปลอดภัย" และ "น่าเชื่อถือ"

มันยังเป็นเครื่องเตือนใจว่าความโลภ และความประมาท อาจนำไปสู่หายนะได้ ไม่ว่าคุณจะลงทุนในอะไร ก็ต้องศึกษาให้ดี ทำความเข้าใจให้ถ่องแท้ อย่าหลงเชื่อคำโฆษณา หรือคำอวยเว่อร์ๆ

และที่สำคัญ..

"Not your keys, not your coins"

หากคุณไม่ถือ Private Key ด้วยตัวเอง คุณก็ไม่ได้เป็นเจ้าของบิตคอยน์ที่แท้จริง

เพราะถ้าเกิดอะไรขึ้นกับเว็บเทรด.. คุณก็อาจจะซวยเหมือนกับลูกค้า Mt. Gox กว่า 24,000 คน ที่ต้องรอคอยเงินคืนยาวนานนับ 10 ปี และบางคนก็อาจจะไม่ได้อะไรคืนเลย..

เปิดโปงเบื้องหลัง

หลังจาก Mt. Gox ล่มสลาย เจ้าหน้าที่ได้เร่งสืบสวนสอบสวน และพบว่ามีบุคคลสำคัญอยู่เบื้องหลังเรื่องนี้

1. “Alexander Vinnik” ผู้ก่อตั้ง BTC-e

ถูกจับในข้อหาฟอกเงินที่ได้จากการแฮ็ก Mt. Gox เขาถูกกล่าวหาว่าใช้ BTC-e ในการฟอกเงินมูลค่ากว่า 4 พันล้านดอลลาร์สหรัฐ ซึ่งรวมถึงเงินที่ขโมยมาจาก Mt. Gox ด้วย

หน่วยงานของสหรัฐฯ ระบุว่า Vinnik ใช้ BTC-e เพื่อฟอกเงินให้กับบุคคลที่เกี่ยวข้องกับอาชญากรรมต่างๆ เช่น การแฮ็กคอมพิวเตอร์ และการค้ายาเสพติด

พวกเขายังเชื่อมโยง Vinnik กับการล่มสลายของ Mt. Gox โดยกล่าวหาว่าเขาฟอกเงินที่ถูกขโมยผ่าน BTC-e และ Tradehill ซึ่งเป็นอีกหนึ่งเว็บเทรดที่เขาเป็นเจ้าของ

การจับกุม Vinnik เป็นส่วนหนึ่งของปฏิบัติการต่อเนื่องของสหรัฐฯ ในการต่อต้านอาชญากรไซเบอร์ชาวรัสเซียในยุโรป ในปี 2024 Vinnik ได้ยอมรับสารภาพผิดในข้อหาสมรู้ร่วมคิดในการฟอกเงิน

1. “Alexey Bilyuchenko” และ “Aleksandr Verner”

สองชาวรัสเซีย ถูกตั้งข้อหาในปี 2023 ว่ากันว่าพวกเขาขโมยบิตคอยน์ไปกว่า 647,000 BTC และนำไปฟอกเงินผ่าน BTC-e และแพลตฟอร์มอื่นๆ

เส้นทางสู่การเยียวยา

การล่มสลายของ Mt. Gox ทำให้ลูกค้าหลายหมื่นคนต้องสูญเสียบิตคอยน์ไป และต้องต่อสู้ในกระบวนการทางกฎหมายอันยาวนาน

ในที่สุดก็มีความคืบหน้า ในเดือนมิถุนายน 2018 ศาลแขวงโตเกียวได้อนุมัติคำร้องของเจ้าหนี้เพื่อเริ่มกระบวนการฟื้นฟูทางแพ่ง ซึ่งอนุญาตให้มีเงื่อนไขการชำระหนี้ที่ยืดหยุ่นมากขึ้น รวมถึงการชดเชยตามมูลค่าปัจจุบันของเหรียญที่สูญหายไป

เจ้าหนี้ (ผู้เสียหาย) สามารถเริ่มยื่นข้อเรียกร้องใหม่ภายใต้กระบวนการเหล่านี้ได้ในวันที่ 23 สิงหาคม 2018

ในที่สุด.. ในเดือนกรกฎาคม 2024 Mt. Gox ก็เริ่มชำระคืนบิตคอยน์ และบิตคอยน์แคช ให้กับเจ้าหนี้ภายใต้แผนฟื้นฟูกิจการตามกฎหมาย

ทนายความ Nobuaki Kobayashi ดูแลกระบวนการนี้ โดยตรวจสอบให้แน่ใจว่ามีการตรวจสอบและข้อตกลงกับเจ้าหนี้ทั้งหมดก่อนที่จะมีการจ่ายเงิน

การชำระเงินคืนนี้ถือเป็นช่วงเวลาสำคัญ เนื่องจากเจ้าหนี้ต้องรอคอยมานานเกือบทศวรรษ นับตั้งแต่การล่มสลายของเว็บเทรดในปี 2014

จาก 850,000 BTC ที่สูญหายไป มีการกู้คืนกลับมาได้ 200,000 Bitcoin ซึ่ง 60,000 Bitcoin ในนั้นถูกขายโดยผู้ดูแลผลประโยชน์เพื่อเป็นทุนในการดำเนินการต่างๆ

และเนื่องจากมูลค่าของบิตคอยน์เพิ่มขึ้นอย่างมาก กระบวนการชำระคืนจึงมีมูลค่ามหาศาล การเริ่มต้นการชำระคืนจึงเป็นเรื่องใหญ่ในวงการคริปโต

ในช่วงต้นเดือนกรกฎาคม 2024 Mt. Gox ได้ย้าย 47,228 BTC มูลค่าประมาณ 2.7 พันล้านดอลลาร์ออกจากกระเป๋าเงินออฟไลน์เพื่อเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของกระบวนการชำระคืน

บริษัทต่างๆ เช่น MtGoxBalanceBot ได้ติดตามความเคลื่อนไหวเหล่านี้อย่างโปร่งใสและให้ข้อมูลอัปเดตแก่ชุมชน

ในวันที่ 22 กรกฎาคม 2024 Mt. Gox ได้โอน Bitcoin มูลค่า 2.85 พันล้านดอลลาร์ไปยังกระเป๋าเงินใหม่ โดย 340 ล้านดอลลาร์ในจำนวนนั้นถูกส่งไปยังที่อยู่ที่ Bitstamp เป็นเจ้าของ

หลังจากนั้นไม่นาน ก็มีการโอน 37,477 BTC มูลค่า 2.5 พันล้านดอลลาร์ไปยังกระเป๋าเงินที่ไม่รู้จัก

มีการเคลื่อนไหวอยู่เรื่อยๆ จนกระทั่ง ณ ปัจจุบันมีการแจกจ่าย Bitcoin ให้กับเจ้าหนี้ Mt. Gox ไปแล้วจำนวนมาก และยังเหลืออีกประมาณ 45,000 BTC ที่จะต้องคืน (จาก140,000 แสน เหลือ 44,899K BTC คิดเป็นคืนไปแล้วราวๆ 60%)

กระบวนการนี้ยังคงดำเนินต่อไป และเกี่ยวข้องกับความเคลื่อนไหวจำนวนมากในตลาดคริปโตฯ โดยจำนวนเงินทั้งหมดที่ยังคงค้างชำระให้กับเจ้าหนี้ โดยจำนวนเงินทั้งหมดที่ยังคงค้างชำระเจ้าหนี้นั้นคิดเป็นประมาณ 0.7% ของ Bitcoin ทั้งหมดที่หมุนเวียนอยู่ในตลาด

850,000 Bitcoin ที่สูญหายไปนั้นมีมูลค่าประมาณ 460 ล้านดอลลาร์สหรัฐในขณะที่เกิดการแฮ็ก และ 140,000 Bitcoin ที่กู้คืนได้นั้นมีมูลค่าประมาณ 1 หมื่นล้านดอลลาร์ ณ ราคา 70,000 ดอลลาร์ต่อ Bitcoin

นั่นหมายความว่าเจ้าหนี้จะได้รับมูลค่าคืนมากกว่า 16 เท่าในตลาดปัจจุบัน..

บทสรุป

เรื่องราวของ Mt. Gox เป็นเหมือนบทเรียนราคาแพงที่สอนให้พวกเรารู้ว่า..

อย่าฝากไข่ไว้ในตะกร้าใบเดียว

การรวมศูนย์อำนาจในการดูแลสินทรัพย์ดิจิทัลไว้ที่เดียวมีความเสี่ยงสูง การกระจายความเสี่ยงโดยการใช้บริการหลายๆ แพลตฟอร์ม หรือ self-custody เป็นสิ่งสำคัญ

ความจำเป็นในการกำกับดูแล

เหตุการณ์ Mt. Gox กระตุ้นให้เกิดการตรวจสอบข้อเท็จจริงและความเข้มงวดมากขึ้นต่อเว็บเทรดคริปโตฯ ทั่วโลก เพื่อปกป้องนักลงทุน

ความรับผิดชอบ

ผู้บริหารแพลตฟอร์ม ต้องมีความรับผิดชอบต่อทรัพย์สินของลูกค้า และดำเนินธุรกิจอย่างโปร่งใส ซื่อสัตย์ และยุติธรรม

ความไม่แน่นอนของตลาดคริปโตฯ

ตลาดคริปโตฯ ยังคงมีความผันผวนสูง และมีความเสี่ยงที่อาจเกิดขึ้นได้ นักลงทุนควรศึกษาข้อมูลอย่างรอบคอบก่อนตัดสินใจลงทุน

เรื่องราวของ Mt. Gox จะถูกจารึกไว้ในประวัติศาสตร์ของวงการคริปโตตลอดไป มันเป็นเครื่องเตือนใจถึงความสำคัญของความปลอดภัย ความโปร่งใส และความรับผิดชอบในการดำเนินธุรกิจที่เกี่ยวข้องกับสินทรัพย์ดิจิทัล และเป็นแรงผลักดันให้วงการนี้พัฒนาไปสู่ความมั่นคงและยั่งยืนในอนาคต..

@ 0271e1b9:ad8cff90

Hey everyone,

So during the weekend I launched a little side project called:

"A Stoic Resurrection"

https://image.nostr.build/682ddced4e4c823dcdc28bd34cc920ce0802964b170f9fa08295a89afe08df6c.jpg

For now I will be sharing my favorite quotes from both historical and contemporary thinkers in the form of photos or short videos, plus some of my own thoughts, as I have noticed they seem to be very much aligned with the Stoic philosophy in general.

I played around with some ideas regarding the design and aesthetics, and settled on this kind of style for now:

Photo examples https://image.nostr.build/878bf80e40c522320820e766723dcd7b2ea5a4029dc8effd9c66a56f0fbbbc54.jpg https://image.nostr.build/3d994d3fb52def142d4b331ef0edb53a9862c8ab071d57da580a8fa08430198a.jpg https://image.nostr.build/d583755e9065cc5c49357ead1734e7e2ab5d43c56bd3345cb14331cab61cd505.jpg

Video examples

https://youtube.com/shorts/OMKKRQ4zNLM

https://youtube.com/shorts/UkFBFBniCp8

For now I'm using copyright free images from Unsplash plus copyright free recordings of classical music via Musopen (starting off with Chopin) for the content as per my Open Source Culture philosophy.

The current goal is to post 1 quote per day on average.

I do have some additional ideas for the future, but as I said, this is a side project and how much time & energy I'm going to invest in this will depend both on the amount of free(ish) time I have on hand, my current level of interest in the subject, as well as how much demand & audience there is (or isn't) for this kind of content.

Please feel free to share your thoughts, criticisms, suggestions, and perhaps some of your personal favorite Stoic thinkers / ideas from both past and the present that have caught your attention.

Oh, and of course, if stoic philosophy sounds like your cup of tea, please feel free to give the project a follow on your preferred social media platform(s) and/or show your appreciation with zaps:

nostr: nostr:npub1angxrnwzujemyzkhgef2gwcy0s4ayjh62574p8g2xwnlfp8pxeaq4frrpe

X

YouTube

Instagram

TikTok

Peace & love,

Kontext

@ c230edd3:8ad4a712

Chef's notes

Allow meat to soak for 1-24 hours. The rougher the cut, the longer the soak. This is great for open flame grilling, as well as pan seared, though the latter is preferable. Petit Sirloin can marinade for approximately 1 hour and still develop tenderness. I like to score the steaks if they will only be resting in the mix for a short time. All seasonings can be adjusted to taste. Base ingredients scale well, for any number of steaks. Equal parts, enough to coat the meat is really all that matters.

I'm terrible at remembering cooking pictures, so image is a random steak. I will try to remember to update that next time I make these.

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 10
• 🍳 Cook time: However long you usually cook your steak to preferred doneness

Ingredients

• 4 petite sirloin steaks or other cut
• 1/4 cup yellow mustard
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3-5 cloves garlic, depending on size, minced and salted
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1\2 tsp crushed red pepper

Directions

1. Mix ingredients and marinade 1-24 hours.
2. Grill or pan sear to your preferred doneness
3. Enjoy!

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

All of us, when considering “what is good?” end up using the wrong measuring stick. We measure ourselves by the people around us rather than by God’s standard written in the Bible or by Jesus’s example given when He lived a perfect, sinless life as a man. We fail to judge correctly. We like to say like the Pharisees:

The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. (Luke 18:11)

What Measuring Reference?

More than anything we all like to think of ourselves as “good” people and as “better” than others, but we forget what the Bible says about us and righteousness:

As it is written,“There is none righteous, not even one;
There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good,There is not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12)

Even if we are better than some others (at least in certain areas), that doesn’t make us good. “There is none who does good, There is not even one.”

I think part of thinking we are “good” people is the way we compare ourselves to others (rather than to God, as we should). We compare ourselves to the worst, to make us look better. We pick the areas that are our strengths and compare it to those who are weak in those areas, but then we avoid comparing our weak areas to their strengths. When we have an area where we are weak, we usually either make excuses or put on blinders so we can’t see our own weaknesses.

For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. (2 Corinthians 10:12-13)

The Bible specifically condemns us using our own measure instead of His measure and says, “when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.”

Confession

Confessing each particular sin is one area where I am weak. I fully understand that we all (including me) sin continually and displease God with our thoughts, words, and actions. I fully understand that I fall miserably short of God’s ideal. I can honestly say, “Forgive me because I have sinned.” The thing I am very poor at is asking forgiveness for specific sins. I am terrible at seeing each individual sin, each individual offense against God. I don’t have an excuse. I guess I have put on blinders because I don’t want to see my sins. I don’t want to see how poorly I do. I don’t want to see how I regularly offend God. Are you the same way? Do you regularly confess each specific sin?

Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin”? (Proverbs 20:9)

We are told to Confess our sins to God.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

We are told that failing to confess our sins will lead to our harm.

He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. (Proverbs 28:9,13)

We are encouraged to confess our sins to God first and foremost, but we are also encouraged to confess to others. Obviously, we should confess our sins (apologize) to someone that we wronged or hurt in some way, but we can also be helped by confessing to another because it keeps us honest about our sins and helps keep us accountable.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (James 5:16)

This could be a confession to a close friend or family member. It could be a confession to a mentor or spiritual leader. When we confess our sins to another person, we aren’t asking for them to absolve us from our sins. Only Jesus can do that. Having someone to whom we regularly confess our sins, worries, and weaknesses helps us to stay accountable. Being right with God is what matters, but having a physical person look us in the eyes and ask how we are doing in areas where we are weak can help us stay the course set for us by God.

Wrong View of Sin

We generally all treat most of our sins as not that big of a deal. We excuse that “little white lie.” We discount that moment of pride or jealousy. We rationalize putting other things before God.

All sin comes down to disobeying God and making ourselves to be our own god over the one true God. All sin is idolatry. All sin, no matter how minor we think it is, is an affront to God.

Every single sin is deserving of death. If we could see our sins as God sees them, we would be filled with terror.

For we have been consumed by Your anger
And by Your wrath we have been dismayed.
You have placed our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your presence.
For all our days have declined in Your fury;
We have finished our years like a sigh.
As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.
Who understands the power of Your anger
And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:7-12)

We need to fall down on our faces and beg forgiveness for our blatant offences against our creator God. We need to see our sins in the same way God sees them, as abhorrent actions that separate us from God.

Deliver me from all my transgressions;Make me not the reproach of the foolish. (Psalms 39:8)

Luckily for us, God made a way for us to get right with God despite our foolish, sinful thoughts and actions. God did not leave us alone and suffering in the wilderness of His wrath without a way of escape.

even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:5-10)

Jesus knew that we would fail. Jesus knew that we would let Him down. Jesus knew that we would be unable to makes things right, so He made a way for us. He lived the perfect life that we never could and died on the cross to take away our sins. Jesus agreed to cover our sins if we only repent and submit to Him.

Do Not Judge so That You Will Not Be Judged

Jesus made it so that those who trust in Him will not be judged as we deserve. Because He has been merciful to us, we also should be merciful to others. We have failed miserably and therefore should not judge others.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.” (Luke 6:37)

Once again, we have a tendency to judge others who are weak where we are strong or to judge others who are having problems in an areas where we used to fail, but have learned to do better. Most of us are bad at seeing the areas where we fail miserably and if we can see it, we make excuses while not allowing others to make excuses for their sins.

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5)

Yes, there absolutely are times in which we need to help a fellow believer deal with their personal sin or we need to help an unbeliever see their sins so they can see their need for a savior, but we need to deal honestly with our own sins beforehand and we need to be honest with others about our own struggle with sin. We need to not lie to them (and ourselves) about our own struggles with sin. In reality, when we admit our own sins and don’t pretend to have it all together, they are actually more likely to listen to what we have to say than when we pretend to be the perfect little Christian saint.

If we are going to point out another’s sins, the Bible gives us particular patterns to follow. Our correction of another is not about judgement or embarrassment, but is about reconciling sinners to their holy God.

“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:15-18)

All correction should have the goal of reconciling the corrected with Christ and the church. It should be for the good of the person being corrected. Correction should never have the goal embarrassing the person, winning an argument, or beating them into submission.

If we take a line out of “The Lord’s Prayer” or “The Model Prayer,” and pray “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12) or “And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” (Luke 11:4) then we are more likely to do correction in a godly manner.

Do Not Be A Stumbling Block

In addition to not sinning, judging ourselves and others correctly, and correcting only in a merciful and loving manner, we need to make sure our actions are not a stumbling block to others that either leads them to sin or drives them away from God and the Church.

He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” (Luke 17:1-4)

God has given us many freedoms, but we aren’t to use those freedoms in a way that harms others. This harm could come from being too lenient or being too strict and legalistic. We need to act in such a way as to be a blessing to everyone around us. We need to use what God has given to us to bless others and not to just use it selfishly.

When we use the right measuring stick to judge our own lives and we truly see what an awesome, holy, unfathomably good God we serve, this right view of the world will help lead us in the right direction far better than any list of commands and prohibitions.

Trust Jesus.

your sister in Christ,

Christy For more posts check out the Trust Jesus Substack.

Bible verses are NASB (New American Standard Bible) 1995 edition unless otherwise stated

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

The user is never wrong

Here are some non-suspect ways a dev team can respond to a bug report

1) Thank you for reporting. We already opened issue ABC123 to track that and you can follow the progress on our issues board.

2) Oh, wow! That's an odd behavior. 🤔 Can you give me more information about your setup and the precise steps you took to find that, so that we can track down the cause?

3) Yeah, that's a known flaw, I'm afraid. We've got this workaround available...

4) Oh, that's actually a path/use-case/feature we hadn't considered, yet. I'll discuss it with the team and get back to you, concerning the possible implementation.

Sus ways a dev team can respond to a bug report

1) User error.

2) No one else has reported that.

3) Do I look like I have all day to deal with your whining? The road map. Read it.

4) 🦗🦗🦗🦗

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

We can talk about something else, now.

Making boosts/quotes the primary way new users find a variety of topics is a fundamental flaw. We don't need boosts (which merely results in the main trending list trending even harder, as people feel safer boosting something that is already popular), and hashtags have become the mess they naturally will become.

We need topical forums and relay-based community boards.

This would actively encourage those of us who want to write on OtherTopics to write more on them, as we would have some chance of the material being found by those interested in it. And it would spare us having to win some general popularity contest, just to be able to converse about golfing, Hinduism, or veganism.

Scrollable "timeline" feeds, even with AI assistance (like DVMs), don't accomplish this as well, as they eliminate the ability to skim the top-level and selectively read. You have to scroll, scroll, scroll.

It would also reduce the overloading of the original posts with videos, which is starting to give Nostr a Tik-Tok vibe. There's nothing wrong with that, per se, and we should probably have clients like that, but it makes life hard for anyone who wants to have a deeper discussion. People scrolling have trouble even "seeing" a text-based OP, but using the written word is a true signal to the other people, that you are capable of carrying a conversation through text.

Examples for other styles of client

(I am including the Communities in Nostrudel and Satellite, even though they don't yet work, effectively.)

Some of the things that set these clients apart, is that: 1. they are topic-first or thread-first, not person-first, 2. they sometimes allow voting (I suppose we could rank by zaps), 3. they often allow the user to override the default order and simply look at whatever is newest, most popular, or where their friends are currently active (i.e. they allow for easy sorting and filtering), 4. they cap the depth of threads to one or two levels, keep the indentation tiny, or offer a "flat" view, 5. they are primarily text-based (Reddit broke with this and now their main pages look really spammy), 6. they allow you to see all of the entries in the thread, at once, and simply actualize to display the entries that pop up in-between, 7. they often have some indication of what you have already read (this is application data) and allow you to sort for "stuff I haven't looked at, yet".

https://i.nostr.build/uCx5YKMOsjhKBU5c.png https://i.nostr.build/hMkm2oKpos0pWaV9.png https://i.nostr.build/mGQONMw5RC8XKtph.png https://i.nostr.build/TCSkG1bPuMOL0jja.webp https://i.nostr.build/3fLjCSNdtefiZmAH.png https://i.nostr.build/BHgo7EKTK5FRIsVl.png

@ 6c8c7979:15595f3e

This painting is titled "The Naked Truth" or "Truth Emerges from the Well" by the artist Jean-Léon Gérôme, created in 1896.

The painting depicts the 19th-century myth about truth and lies. According to the legend, one day, truth and lies met. Lies said to truth, "The day is very beautiful." Truth looked around doubtfully, then gazed at the sky, saw that the sun was shining and the weather was pleasant, so decided to spend the day with Lies.

Lies then suggested, "The water in the well is clear and warm; let's go for a swim." Truth again doubted but tested the water and found it indeed clear and warm. Both undressed and went for a swim.

Suddenly, Lies emerged from the well quickly, donned Truth's clothes, and ran away. Truth emerged from the well, naked and furious, and tried to chase Lies. When people saw her naked, they were disturbed and turned away from her.

Feeling embarrassed, Truth returned to the well and did not reappear. Since then, Lies has been roaming the world dressed as Truth, and people accept Lies while refusing to see the naked Truth.

@ c5395d20:25baac60

Spoilers below

---

A Bit of Background

The party recently was assaulted by a group of bounty hunters. They found a "bingo book" which listed each of them as well as several other individuals/groups wanted by a familiar name: Zal Esarus (Big Bad Evil Guy). Here's the list: * Silas Gorian [500/1000] Pale, long dark hair. Tall man with a powerful build, likely in the southern Duskwood. Known to have escaped Dentura Morbum. Vampire likely. * Barlow Hatcha [500/750] A Swarthy man with dark blond hair, he wears a thick mustache, red armor with an emerald plume. He carries a flaming sword and rides under the device of a Rooster. * Mirek Golovin: [500/750] An undead knight, made by the secrets of the acolytes of the god of Death. It has a doubled arm and Flamberge. It is accompanied by a gray-eyed woman and devil-skin with long horns.. Last seen at the Temple Ruin near Jagged Edge Hideaway. * Axius Astramind [1000/1500] Powerful mage, his mark is fire, most of his left side is charred from long service. White-blonde hair, shorter build. Whereabouts unkown. * Magnus the Red [500/750] Red Dragon Knight, short for the knights but wide. Prefers glaives and polearms. Whereabouts unknown. * Georg Alhund: [alive only 2000] Young boy, likely tall for his age. Keeps a thick gold signet ring of a hound grappling a dragon. Likely accompanied by Magnus the Red. Whereabouts unkown. * Any Quick-Tooth Goblin Deserters: [dead only 20] * Hox Longfeather [50/75]: Goblin sniper, leading the last of the Quicktooth Goblins that rebelled against Esarus after the fall of Queen Bargnot. Last seen in the northern duskwood, near the Ghostcliffs. * The “Face Eater”: [alive only 200] Three toed beast. Likely undead, ambush predator. Its hunting grounds are believed to be north of Nighshade Clearing. * Armored Blond Man: [100/150] taller than average, scar near his eye. Wears the sign of a flower over breastplate. Last seen at the Temple Ruin near Jagged Edge Hideaway. * Tan, Redheaded magician: [100/150] average height. Carries a deck of cards. Green eyes. Last seen at the Temple Ruin near Jagged Edge Hideaway. * Braided haired woman: [100/150] she has many trinkets in her hair, swarthy but may be able to wear animal shape. * Stout Hunter [50/100] with long greasy hair. He wears deerskin boots and hunts with a bow. Known to live in Anton’s Mill

The [X/Y] is the reward (in gold crowns) for Dead/Alive. The party has met Mirek Golovin and its group, Axius Astramind currently lives in their stronghold, they've fought the Quick-Tooth Goblins before, killed the "Face Eater," they are themselved the Armored Blond Man, Tan Redhead Magician, and Braid-Haired Woman. The Stout Hunter is their friend Lars Bailey, who even if his stories are twice as tall as reality is still the best hunter Anton's Mill has seen in 80 years.

They've decided that this might be a good list to find "enemies of my enemies." They are planning on seeking Hox Longfeather and his rebel goblins next.

Politics

There are tensions that the party hasn't really bothered to look for: Zal Esarus has raised an army of the dead (Zal is a title reserved for very powerful necromancers, which aren't inherintly evil in my setting). He has additionally gained the use of a well-educated and formidible general in Khazran the Warbreed (Warbreed are what I call Half-Orcs, and are magically created beings, not literal half-breeds) who won the respect of the local Orc tribes and brought them into Zal Esarus' army. That left the local goblins, who they strongarmed into doing their bidding, an arrangement most of the goblins resented. Hox and his band were such members of the Quicktooth tribe and disagreed with Queen Bhargnot about whether to stand up for themselves now or bend to the might of Zal Esarus and bide their time for rebellion. That rebellion ironically saved their lives, as they were banished from the Jagged Edge Hideaway (the capital warren of the Quick-tooth Tribe) when the party busted in and killed most of them. Of course all of these leaders and factions have desires of their own that could be played against each other. Khazran is being "lent" to Esarus, and doesn't care for or about him personally. The Orcs don't like the undead and find them a distasteful way to fight. They are more loyal to Khazran for his obvious strength and tactics than to Esarus' wizardry and cunning. They don't typically marshall themselves to war, just to raid, so the idea of ranks, files and maintaining discipline is foreign. Esarus has a pupil (Arlen) who might stab him in the back for his own ambitions, the different tribes of Orcs don't always get along. The whole thing could be peeled apart, but we'll focus on the goblins and Hox's Gleeful Band of Free Greens.

---

At the Ghostcliffs

The Ghostcliffs are beyond the north eastern edges of the Duskwood (the party's main stomping ground). That's where the goblins went into hiding. It's tough mountain country with steep walls hiding many caves, perfect for a subterranean gang going into hiding. It helps that Hox is pretty sure of where Zal Esarus' stronghold, Dentura Morbum, is. Even though they're in the same region, he's posted watches and scouts to make sure they don't catch unwanted attention from the necromancer.

We'll have a few days of travel inside the Duskwood, perhaps a few random encounters.

The familiar ancient pine forest reluctantly gives way to mountain country. The Ghostcliffs loom above you, sheer and pale. Spears of rock spread like wings from the foreboding stone formation. Wind howls and moans down from the tall peaks above you, giving these hills their name.

The trail continues ahead as a narrow path cutting back and forth, too steep and treachourous for any mule or horse. Scanning the way before you, there are many ravines and steep places. In a few areas, small waterfalls pour down near the switchbacks. Clouds and mist seem to settle down, undisturbed by the occasional gusts of air. In spring this place may be entirely impassable, but in summer it is merely difficult and dangerous.

As far as how they might find the goblins, they have a starting point from the bingo book, Winora can speak with animals and Armond can use his familiar. I'm sure they probably have some other skills or ideas that I haven't thought of yet.

The Trail

The party continues up the Ghostcliffs for several hours, eventually the trail comes to a rope bridge.

The trail ends abruptly at a narrow rope bridge spanning a gulf about 150 feet across. The bridge creaks as it sways and bucks with the occasional gust of air.

Terrain Encounter I think a rope bridge between cliffs would be good. If they overload it, it could break. Even if they don't we'll have Dex Checks to stay on as it swings in the wind. If the party uses some creative thinking we can skip over it. Perhaps they will be accosted by harpies instead.

As they continue in the Ghostcliffs for another hour or two, they'll find dead bounty hunters to show they're on the right trail. They were killed by Hox's scouts in an ambush, picked over, and dumped into a ravine. The hunters have cursed red gold (Zal Esarus pays in cursed gold, it's how he finds bodies for his undead army) in their pouches, but otherwise nothing of much value or interest.

I like the idea that they get close, maybe have a "random" encounter with a monster (cyclopes, hill giants, ettins, wyverns), some goblins show up during the fight and they have a chance to roleplay a bit.

Hox's Crew

The Band consists of a few dozen goblins, most of whom are "uneducated" (can't speak Giant). The following are his core council, who he consults and delegates to. Languages are in the order that they prefer speaking (giant is a lingua franca in my world). Titles in goblin society are typically in giant, but are translated here (because I didn't want to make up more words in giant). Among goblins, if you are a great/important person your title will likely be a point of pride or something to brag about. On the other hand, if you're lowly you might have no title, or a sarcastic one.

---

The Officers I'm not planning on needing them in combat really, but decided to link some statblocks as starting points. Most of the officers probably need bumped up a little * Hox Longfeather [goblin, giant, common] male: he wears a hunter's cap with the titular griffon's feather over a scalplock. In his ears he wears a few earrings. He is tall for a goblin and build like a whip. He's clever and proud, unwilling to bend a knee. Around his men his is charismatic and jovial, but behind closed doors, he's a hardnosed negotiator. * Thexni Wiitherose [goblin, giant, abyssal, common] female: an older cursespitter (demon worshipper) and spiritual leader of the group. She wears many pieces of bone jewelry and tattoos cover most of her body. Her staff is topped by a three-eyed "human" skull with deer horns and fangs. Hox knew he'd need someone to reassure the spiritual base of his group so he strongarmed her into his group. She doesn't appreciate what happened but has nowhere to go. * Tozg Venomfang [goblin, giant] male: an assassin. He assumed everyone wants to kill him, except Hox, who he loves with extreme devotion. His ear is clipped and he wears a golden ring on a leather thong around his neck. He has deepset dark eyes and doesn't blink much. His dagger is of course, magical. He funcitons as Hox's spymaster and tactician. * Krebz Stonefist [goblin] male: brute. Almost as tall as a man, weilds a maul, doesn't talk much. * Qesh Sparrowtail [goblin, giant] female: archer. She is Hox's lover and prodigee. She is slight of frame and short, even for a goblin. She wears a few small earrings, but not any specific piece. She might become jealous of the party if they spend too much time with him.

Emergency Names

Male: Grikx, Helk, Slummex, Yalb, Triq

Female: Srift, Imzonee, Ilmea, Ifsi, Pronx

@ a619eb76:11d75935

whats the funniest insult in your opinion? and please provide context as to why.

for me, i cant help but laugh at the insult 'bitch boy'. reason being...my mom, who never swuares, referred to a kid i was kind of friends with in high school that also kinda sucked as a 'little bitch boy'. it really showed in hind sight how much she hated me hanging out with that friend ( and she was right! friendship crumbled cuz the dude sucked hahah), totally caught me off guard at the time but now i cant help but laugh at the insult 🙂

ehat about yall?

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/657534

@ b0510a0c:12716ced

On April 24, 2012, Erik Voorhees changed everything about Bitcoin with the launch of Satoshi Dice:

a game that captivated users and intensified debates about Bitcoin's evolution and the network's ability to handle an increasing volume of transactions.

At that time, Satoshi Dice allowed thousands of players to bet on digital dice rolls, leading to a MASSIVE influx of transactions that filled the blocks of the blockchain.

📈 Success of Satoshi Dice:

Satoshi Dice achieved phenomenal success, attracting millions of users with its simplicity. Players flocked in, bets piled up, and blocks filled up.

Erik Voorhees effectively leveraged Bitcoin's microtransactions, quickly saturating the blocks with these. This was a testament to the game's popularity, but also a source of tension within the community.

Within months, Satoshi Dice became the most popular service on the Bitcoin network, boosting its usage and virality.

Players appreciated the "provable fairness" aspect of the game, where they could verify the transparency and fairness of each bet.

🚫 Criticism and Controversy:

However, this success was not without criticism.

Many Bitcoin enthusiasts viewed the massive influx of transactions generated by the game unfavorably. For them, these sometimes trivial transactions "spammed" the blockchain, clogging the blocks and increasing transaction fees for all users. Does this sound familiar?

The network, designed to handle about seven transactions per second, quickly reached its maximum capacity, causing validation delays and "high" fees.

⚔️ BlockSize Wars:

The BlockSize wars, which took place mainly between 2016 and 2017, were a technical and ideological conflict centered on block size and scalability solutions.

While Satoshi Dice was not the sole cause, the game significantly contributed to the emergence of this event by helping to popularize Bitcoin among new users and generating substantial transaction volume.

As Bitcoin adoption grew, the network faced intense pressure, leading to block saturation and rising transaction fees. On one side, some advocated for increasing block size to allow more transactions, leading to the creation of Bitcoin Cash in August 2017. On the other, proponents of solutions like SegWit pushed for improvements without compromising decentralization.

🔧 Adoption of SegWit:

Erik Voorhees expressed his support for the SegWit2x proposal, which aimed to improve network scalability by combining the implementation of SegWit with an increase in block size.

Segregated Witness (SegWit) was adopted in August 2017, allowing transaction data to be separated from signatures. This reorganization not only increased transaction processing capacity but also paved the way for the development of the Lightning Network, a layer 2 solution enabling instant and low-cost transactions.

SegWit was a crucial response to the challenges posed by network congestion, which had been exacerbated by Bitcoin's growing adoption and the emergence of popular applications like Satoshi Dice.

⚡ SegWit and Lightning:

The adoption of SegWit helped resolve blockchain congestion issues, while the Lightning Network, a layer 2 solution, facilitated fast and low-cost transactions.

Together, these innovations not only addressed technical challenges but also renewed enthusiasm for games and other applications on Bitcoin, paving the way for a new wave of development.

🎲 Nostr Dice:

Today, as we reflect on the impact of Satoshi Dice, a new project emerges: nostr:npub1nstrdc6z4y9xadyj4z2zfecu6zt05uvlmd08ea0vchcvfrjvv7yq8lns84

This modern clone of the original game is built on Nostr, a decentralized communication protocol, and Lightning, paying homage to the past while offering an enhanced gaming experience that does not impact layer 1 congestion!

From a game that caused Bitcoin congestion to its rebirth on Lightning, which it helped to bring about, the circle is complete!

@ d830ee7b:4e61cd62

Alright folks, it's showtime! The Thailand Bitcoin Conference 2024 (#TBC2024) is about to kick off, and as one of the organizers, yours truly, Jakk Goodday, co-founder of Right Shift, is beyond stoked. This isn't just another conference, it's the culmination of our passion, dedication, and vision for a brighter future, brought to life by a vibrant community of Bitcoin enthusiasts in Thailand.

Get ready to rumble!

Picture this: you step into a bustling hall at True Digital Park in the heart of Bangkok. The air is buzzing with anticipation as over 500 passionate Bitcoiners, from seasoned veterans to eager newcomers, gather to connect and exchange ideas. The lights dim, the stage comes alive, and a lineup of captivating speakers, both local and international, take the spotlight, ready to ignite the spark of inspiration.

TBC2024 is more than just talks and presentations. It's about forging genuine connections, engaging in lively discussions, sharing laughter, and making new friends. It's about experiencing the Thai Bitcoin scene firsthand, with a bustling marketplace showcasing innovative Bitcoin-powered businesses and delectable local treats. And let's not forget the epic after-party, where the music will pulse, the drinks will flow, and the community will come alive in a celebration of the Bitcoin spirit.

What's on the agenda?

We've got a jam-packed program spread across two days, with three stages catering to all levels of Bitcoin enthusiasts.

Day 1: Echoes of Hope will delve into Bitcoin's potential to tackle social and economic challenges. Get ready for thought-provoking talks by industry leaders like Dr. Wichit Saiklao and Dr. Big, also Piriya who will challenge your understanding of money and the economy. Hear inspiring stories from Jimmy Kostro about how Bitcoin is empowering communities, and gain insights from content creators like Pong SUPERTOMMO, Tip_NZ, and Isora Hata on navigating the digital landscape. We'll even explore the intersection of Bitcoin and morality with Mu'aawiyah Tucker. And more.. And to ensure everyone's on the same page, we'll have real-time Thai-English subtitles on the big screen!

Day 2: Unlocking the Future will focus on real-world Bitcoin applications and their impact. Witness how Bitcoin is transforming industries and empowering individuals with Kgothatso Ngako's showcase of Machankura, a Bitcoin platform that doesn't require internet access. Be inspired by Captain Sidd's tales of Bitcoin-fueled adventures, and gain a new perspective on human rights with Alex Li from the Human Rights Foundation. We'll also have insightful discussions on building the Bitcoin community in Thailand and the rise of Asian Bitcoin communities. The day will culminate with a powerful closing message from Piriya, Khing, and Jingjo from Right Shift, reminding us how Bitcoin is fixing our broken monetary system.

More stages, more fun!

The excitement doesn't stop at the Main Stage. TBC2024 offers two additional stages that cater to every level of Bitcoin enthusiast.

• Advanced Stage: For developers, tech enthusiasts, or anyone who wants to explore the cutting-edge of Bitcoin technology. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive deep into the technical intricacies of Bitcoin with hands-on workshops and interactive sessions.

• Beginner Stage: New to Bitcoin? No worries! The Beginner Stage is designed to gently guide you through the fundamentals of Bitcoin. We'll cover everything from setting up your first Bitcoin wallet to making your first Lightning transaction.

Whether you're a tech-savvy coder or a curious beginner, TBC2024 has something for everyone. Come join us and immerse yourself in the world of Bitcoin. Let's learn, explore, and build the future together.

Siamstr vibes: Where connections spark and friendships flourish

TBC2024 isn't just a conference, it's a full-on community gathering, warm and welcoming. Get ready for laughter, lively conversations, and new friendships that'll make you feel right at home.

• Experience the Siamstr Spirit: The Thai Bitcoin community on Nostr is known for its tight-knit, friendly vibe. You'll meet a diverse crowd, all united by their love for Bitcoin.

• Cutting-Edge Marketplace: Get ready for a lightning-fast marketplace showcasing the coolest products and services from Thai entrepreneurs who accept Bitcoin Lightning payments!

• Exclusive Dinner Party: Join us for an unforgettable dinner in a relaxed atmosphere. Rub shoulders with speakers, Bitcoin OGs, and fellow enthusiasts, and listen to exclusive "Chit Talk" sessions on hot topics revealed only at the event. Then, let loose at the after-party, with a mini-concert and plenty of craft beer from Chit Beer to keep the good times rolling.

TBC2024 is more than just a conference; it's an experience that will let you feel the true power of the Bitcoin community. Come be a part of Siamstr and make some unforgettable memories!

Join the Movement

So, whether you're a seasoned Bitcoiner or simply Bitcoin-curious, TBC2024 is the place to be. Come join us in Bangkok and experience the magic of the Siamstr community. Let's build a brighter future, together.

See you there!

Jakk Goodday

TBC2024 #Bitcoin #Siamstr

14-15 September 2024

Get Digital Ticket here Reserve your seat with Bitcoin Lightning payment here.

@ 6389be64:ef439d32

In today's episode, I delve into silent payments in Bitcoin, introduced through BIP 352 to enhance privacy. I discuss its benefits, drawbacks, and impact, plus updates on BitVM 2, BTrust, and more.

• Silent Payments Explained
• US "Officials" to Redefine "Money"
• BitVM2 on the Horizen
• Trump Taps Bitcoiner For Transition Team
• Ark Protocol is ALIVE!

Listen on @fountain

--> https://fountain.fm/episode/oi8mInXrys0GD1SRdEyH <--

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/654973

@ fa984bd7:58018f52

@ fa984bd7:58018f52

@ fa984bd7:58018f52

@ 6389be64:ef439d32

From creating connections to taming #LLM-generated chaos, we dive into how embeddings can turn digital noise into meaningful insights. Join Liminal from Project Alexandria and me as we explore the fun side of navigating the wild web of ideas and relational knowledge in Episode 937 of Bitcoin And.

Liminal is sharing 50% of this episode's revenue so use a modern podcasting app to generously BOOST, STREAM, and ZAP Sats.

• Project Alexandria

• nostr's Ecosystem

• Zettlekasten Note Taking

• LLM's Role in Deleting Relational Noise

• The Future

Listen to the interview on @fountain --> https://fountain.fm/episode/vvZkH5FKqYVuyFAP312V <--

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/652671

@ 06639a38:655f8f71

• Updated the references documentation here and here
• Improved relay responses and added backwards compability for the used CommandResult class
• Added RelayResponses according to the logic described in NIP-01 using this PR#59 from kriptonix as a base.
  • OK response
  • ERROR response
  • CLOSE response
  • EVENT response
  • EOSE response
  • NOTICE response
• Partly integrated NIP-42 with an AUTH relay response
• Added the documentation page 'relay responses' on nostr-php.dev
• The screenshot is quite funny describing Nostr having PHP vibes comparing it with the ATProtocol from Bluesky [source].

@ 1767e11b:778f6406

Challenges and struggles are inevitable.

We are persistently exposed to the people we surround ourselves with, the media and the content we choose to consume and the experiences we encounter along the way. This shapes our perceptions and it influences how we grow and develop.

Furthermore, what we prioritize to focus our attention on amplifies its importance, ultimately impacting what matters to us, and what we continue to focus on.

For a fair good while, I’ve wanted to publicly share my thoughts and realizations about a struggle of mine. Lots have been posted on my Facebook profile the past 5 years, most of it with a derogative tone towards authority and powerful entities around the world.

For whatever it is worth, I hope this post will help clarify my thinking and feelings.

Struggle 1.0

Many years ago when I was still a teenager I noticed how devoted the TV news anchors were to report on disasters and crime. I found it strange, as I never saw or witnessed anything like what was being reported. What I saw were kids playing and people going about their business.

I knew crimes happened and that there were “bad people” in the world. The constant reporting on crimes and atrocities, however, made it seem like a huge problem. I was often scared and felt like I had to be careful when wandering outside.

It’s well documented that fear, anxiety, anger and outrage sells more news and acquires more clicks than any alternative. I doubt that to be surprising to read. We only need to load news on our browsers or watch the evening news show tonight to see what the focus is.

Humans are drawn to perilous situations due to our ancestors’ need to survive and stay vigilant of imminent dangers in their surroundings. We don’t really need that trait to the same extent anymore, but that part of our brain is still present and active.

Therefore, it is an undeniable and profitable strategy for news outlets to cynically exploit this psychological fact to their utmost advantage.

At one point I remember deciding I would not watch legacy media anymore, it was simply too depressing. Many of you know me from the past. I used to be a lot more focused on well-being and happiness than disastrous world events.

Struggle 2.0

My disillusionment with mainstream news media led me to seek alternative sources of information, which I found in the form of ‘independent journalists’ on social media platforms like Twitter (now X). These individuals, operating outside of traditional news organizations, offered a diversity of perspectives and voices on important issues.

I started following and reading the work of a wide range of people I both agreed and disagreed with. More perspectives and voices reporting on the same issues gave me a richer and more nuanced understanding of any given topic.

An interesting observation I made through listening to said reporters on podcasts, and through reading their work, was that those who disagreed with each other on the surface tend to agree with each other on a fundamental level; we all want our families and loved ones to be well, we all want a peaceful living standard, a livable wage to support such a lifestyle, and the opportunity to build the best life we can have.

In my view, there’s an element that complicates these conversations tremendously.

We get so inundated with doomsday fear-mongering by legacy news, so many people have become nihilistic. The amount of times I’ve heard friends or acquaintances say “whatever, everything is going to shit anyways” is disheartening.

Our constant social media scrolling has become a coping mechanism, allowing us to mentally disengage from disturbing realities rather than directly confront them.

But the first step toward meaningful progress is awareness. We are not as powerless as so many believe. Objective reporters and informative sources are available for us to find, learn from, and share.

Struggling

I’ve grown increasingly resentful and angry at the systems that govern us, and the way those in power, running those systems are portrayed by legacy media. A strong sense of distaste has settled within, which I attribute to my ability, or lack thereof, to deal with “public servants” who actually do the opposite of serving the public.

Consider a group that claims to be defending and promoting democratic values globally. Their methods involve bullying and forcibly strong-arming other nations into compliance. Can bullies and oppressors be the defenders of democracy?

To me, that group is a clear example of demagoguery. In other words, these are leaders who play on people’s emotions, anxieties and biases to win them over rather than using logic and facts.

Here are some reference points for you to research if you care to do so:

- The work of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, uncovering war crimes committed by the US military in Iraq (there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq)

- Edward Snowden uncovered the NSA had been, and still is, spying on US citizens

- The Twitter Files uncovered by Michael Schellenberger, Beri Weiss, Matt Taibbi, and David Zweig. The Biden administration paid twitter to sensor “misinformation” about c0vid

- Anthony Fauci, the guy the entire world entrusted with lockdown measures during the pandemic, funded gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology, through an organization called EcoHealth Alliance and the NIH (many now believe this is where covid19 originated)

- J. Edgar Hoover’s COINTELPRO. The FBI conducted a series of covert operations aimed at monitoring and disrupting political dissidents, civil rights activists and anti-war protestors (how democratic of them)

- Jeffrey Epstein is mysteriously killed in prison, his girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell is sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking of minors, yet, not a single one of their clients are head-hunted (please watch the movie “The Sound of Freedom”)

- MK ULTRA 1950s-1970s, the CIA conducted a mind control experiment on unsuspecting individuals, using LSD

- The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment between 1932–1972, a medical study conducted by US Public Health Services in which African American men with Syphilis were left untreated

- The FBI’s surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr.

- Go see what O’Keefe Media Group (OMG) under James O’Keefe have uncovered the past 5 years (it’s actually mind boggling what these undercover videos show)

- Study how and why the Federal Reserve (US Central Bank) prints money and the consequences of such practice

By perpetuating a climate of fear and promoting the idea of external dangers, legacy news media provides a convenient pretext for governments to wage wars and erode individual freedoms under the guise of security measures. There appears to be a cyclical relationship between fear-mongering news coverage, manufactured public anxieties about perceived enemies, and governments exploiting those fears to expand their powers.

Thanks to the investigative work of social critics and fearless independent reporters we have a look into how governments have misused their influence for decades, if not centuries.

The Consequence

My intention has been to shine light on issues that affect all of us, but unfortunately for the people who I spend the most time with — and for you who read what I post — that intention has been expressed bluntly, with anger and animosity.

I’ve likely pushed some to mute or block me. I’ve surely done damage to my reputation. There’s a chance some will never speak to me again due to what I have shared.

That’s their choice, and they are free to make them. I can’t take back what I’ve shared, nor do I want to. Regretting does no good at all.

Regardless of the consequences, it is lamentable that I have permitted resentment towards heavy-handed authority figures, and those oblivious to such abuses of power, to take root.

It’s not something I am particularly proud of.

Hope

Moving forward, I will try to be more thoughtful about how I share my opinions.

I will strive to rise above feelings of bitterness, address these issues compassionately while upholding justice and demanding ethical leadership.

Rather than succumbing to cynicism, I will aim to engage in constructive discourse, and hold those in power accountable to the highest standards of integrity and service to the people.

Through open and thoughtful dialogue, and a commitment to understanding different perspectives, we can work towards a society that aligns with our shared hopes for equal opportunity. I intend to approach these issues with more nuance and seek common ground, even with those I may disagree with.

As human beings, we all fundamentally desire well-being, freedom, and the option to thrive in our communities. By recognizing our shared hopes and aspirations, we can channel our collective power towards promoting a culture of responsibility, ethical leadership, and positive change.

We the people are incredibly powerful, and I hope more of us gradually arrive at that conclusion.

Thank you for reading.

Love,

Felipe

@ 46fcbe30:6bd8ce4d

Opinion about BitWallet - Buy & Sell Bitcoin (android)

On trustpilot, 20% of reviews are complaining about KYC only after trying to withdraw, with some claims of outright disappearing money.

WalletScrutiny #nostrOpinion

Join the conversation!

@ b22fef18:1bba6e1f

Chef's notes

Old family recipe that my grandma used to make during the summer. Creamy and refreshing.

Details

• ⏲️ Prep time: 10 min
• 🍳 Cook time: 4 hours chilled
• 🍽️ Servings: 8-10

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup shredded cucumber
• 3/4 cup cucumber juice
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 packet lime jello
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup 4% cottage cheese
• 1 cup Miracle Whip

Directions

1. Shred cucumber and add salt to draw out moisture.
2. Mix juice from shredded cucumber and water.
3. Heat juice/water and dissolve lime jello.
4. Allow to cool slightly. (Add a couple ice cubes to chill it down and remove before melted)
5. Mix together the jello mixture and all other ingredients.

@ fa984bd7:58018f52

@ bf7973ed:841ad12a

Posted using obsidian plugin

https://obsidian.md/plugins?search=nostr#

@ bf7973ed:841ad12a

Test Test Test

@ 454bc277:e4a9561a

Larry had the perfect life, a beautiful wife, a mortgage, a dog. The only cloud on the horizon was his relationship to Linda. It was unstable. Linda thrived on rescuing others. Larry's problems had fulfilled all her needs in past years, but he felt like he was slipping into irrelevance as his fortunes improved.

It was Saturday morning and Larry had the garage door open, golden retriever lying basking in the morning sun.

"Honey, when are you going to get rid of this old motorcycle in the garage" Linda asked wandering into the garage from the kitchen.

"Linda, I'm going fix it and go on a road trip this fall" Larry replied shortly.

"Mmmkay, you said that last year too," said Linda.

"What about this old box of letters you have here on the shelf," Larry asked,changing the subject.

Linda: "oh, you can toss those. Here, into the trash."

Larry: "You're so quick to throw things away, Linda."

Linda: "i'm in a hurry to get to the bank, Larry, it's my Saturday to man the Drive-Thru" window

Larry: "ok, have fun 'manning' the drive thru."

"Very funny, Mister Biker Man, I have to save all you men from your financial problems," Linda gave Larry a thoughtless smooch and drove out of the garage.

Larry looked at Linda driving away, his unused Harley. He felt a sense of loss, loneliness, and the creeping onset of a mid-life crisis.

He picked up one of the yellowing letters out of the trash and opened it. They were love letters to Linda from an old boyfriend in prison. Larry read enough of the letters to be aware of the crime the ex-boyfriend had committed to fall from Linda's good graces: the jailbird had reformed.

In his deepening gloom, Larry prayed for help. Divine inspiration was not long in coming: Larry would become an irredeemable bad boy. By the afternoon, Larry had jump-started the Harley, dressed in his leather gear, bandana on, guns out. The biker jacket pinched in a few places, but he felt an exuberance flushing his skin. He knew what he had to do to get Linda back, even if he had to go to prison for it.

---

At the bank, Linda surveyed out of the glass-drive through window. The horses and wagon on the bank logo reminded her of Billy the Kid. At times she caught herself worrying that she had some syndrome of mid-career bank tellers. She frequently found herself dreaming of a bank robbery to hold-up her daily humdrum of vacuum tubes, deposit envelopes and lollipops. Just maybe she was a modern day Marion the Librarian.

Her manager's voice cut through her musings: "Hold up, Linda, you're lost in a daydream"

"Oh hi, Grant," Linda answered.

He continued, "Linda, we sure do get a whole lot of men filing through here on Saturday with sundry credit score questions."

Faye at the mortgage desk piped up, "Linda can't go to the grocery store without bumping into the same men on 3 different aisles."

The manager: "Linda, you have another customer, there's a man on a Harley driving up to your window."

Linda spoke through the teller window mic, smile spreading across her face: "Hello Mr. Biker Man, how can I help you."

Larry replied through the drive-thru,"This is a hostage situation, Ms. Bank teller, come on out and get on the bike."

Linda replied, "Hold on, Larry, my shift is almost over"

The manager: "Is that your husband, Linda?"

Linda, "Yes, Larry has gone crazy, and it looks like it's either me or the bank burns down."

Manager: "Ok good, I won't dial 911. I'll fill in for you til 4 o'clock and maybe just one of these days i'll have your luck."

Larry's bike sounded like 101 trombones as he roared off into the sunset with Linda on the back, happy grin on his face that he once again figured out how to save Linda.

@ 3fe0ab6c:d93088e4

@News @Updates
We have installed a technical client update for Escape from Tarkov. The game will not stop, however the raid time on servers undergoing the updates may be reduced to 10 minutes. Matching time may be increased during the update installation. Please download the update via the launcher.

List of changes: ● Added more rare rewards (including certain keycards and marked keys) for large sacrifices in the Cultist Circle zone in the Hideout; ● Increased the recoil when shooting while prone without bipod; ● Increased the in-raid pickup limit for Found in Raid items: ■ 10 for barter items; ■ 5 for keys; ■ 5 for containers. ● Increased the in-raid drop limit from 0 to 1 for certain barter and information items without the Found in Raid mark; ● AK CNC Warrior 5.56x45 muzzle device adapter can now be installed on all suitable 5.45x39 caliber assault rifles and carbines; ● Reduced the grenade throwing accuracy for regular Scavs.

List of fixes: ● Fixed several geometry errors on all locations; ● Fixed several incorrect doors on all locations;

@ dd664d5e:5633d319

Here's how people use OtherStuff apps.

1) They usually go there to write or post, not to read or view, unless someone they closely follow wrote about it in a Kind 01 note, SimpleX chat, Slack Channel, Telegram group, etc.

2) While they are there, they sometimes look around at what their frens have posted, zap them, leave a comment or a reply, etc. Sometimes they spend hours there. They really like it!

3) Then they leave.

4) If someone responds to anything they posted or wrote there, with anything other than a Kind 01 reply, they do not know about it, because it does not show up in their normal feed or notifications.

5) They do not come back until 1) happens again.

@ e27ae11e:e0c36580

Keeping our homes clean is significant for our wellbeing and solace. Some of the time, standard cleaning isn't sufficient, and we want something more exhaustive. This is where deep house cleaning services come in. They focus on getting into the little hiding spots, places we could miss during our typical cleaning. For individuals with sensitivities or responsive qualities, deep cleaning is significantly more vital. Let’s jump into what deep house cleaning is and the way that it can assist with making a better and more joyful home. Click here> Looking for Cleaning Services near me? ** What is Deep House Cleaning?** Deep house cleaning goes past the ordinary tidying, vacuuming, and wiping. It's tied in with cleaning all aspects of the house, including regions that are frequently ignored or difficult to reach. This incorporates things like: Cleaning behind and under furnishings Washing windows and window ledges Scouring baseboards and entryways Deep-cleaning rugs and upholstery Cleaning light apparatuses and roof fans Cleaning kitchen apparatuses all around Deep cleaning services near me should be possible by experts who have the tools and information to make an intensive showing. These services are particularly helpful for individuals with sensitivities or aversions to residue, shape, and different allergens.

** For what reason is Deep Cleaning Significant?** Deep cleaning is fundamental in light of multiple factors: 1. Medical advantages: Residue, shape, and different allergens can collect in our homes over the long haul. Ordinary cleaning probably won't eliminate these totally, yet deep cleaning can. This further develops indoor air quality and decreases the gamble of sensitivities and respiratory issues.

1. Further develops Appearance: A deep-cleaned home looks and feels fresher. It can make your home really welcoming and agreeable for yourself as well as your visitors.

2. Jam Home Estimation: Customary deep cleaning can assist with keeping up with the state of your home. This is particularly significant assuming you intend to sell your home from now on.

3. Lessens Pressure: Living in a spotless and coordinated space can assist with decreasing pressure and further develop your general prosperity.

Touchy and Steady Methodology For individuals with sensitivities, awarenesses, or certain ailments, deep cleaning should be done cautiously and insightfully. This is the way a touchy and steady methodology can have an effect: 1. Utilizing Safe Cleaning Items: Numerous business cleaning items contain synthetics that can set off sensitivities or responsive qualities. A strong cleaning service will utilize non-harmful, eco-accommodating items that are ok for everybody, particularly those with wellbeing concerns.

1. Unique Thoughtfulness regarding Pain points: Allergens frequently collect in unambiguous regions like floor coverings, upholstery, and bedding. Proficient cleaners will zero in on these areas to guarantee they are entirely cleaned and liberated from allergens.

2. Delicate Cleaning Techniques: Utilizing delicate, compelling cleaning strategies forestalls harm to surfaces and decreases the spread of residue and allergens. For instance, steam cleaning can be exceptionally successful in eliminating allergens without utilizing cruel synthetic compounds.

3. Redone Cleaning Plans: Each house is unique, as are the requirements of its inhabitants. A decent deep cleaning service will make a redid plan that tends to the particular worries of the household, whether it's pet dander, dust parasites, shape, or different allergens. Steps in a Deep House Cleaning Cycle Here is a complete detail for what commonly occurs during a deep house cleaning:

4. Starting Appraisal: The house cleaning service near me will initially survey your home to recognize regions that need unique consideration. They will converse with you about a particular worries or sensitivities you have.

5. Readiness: Prior to cleaning begins, the group will plan by social occasion the important supplies and safeguarding your furnishings and effects. This could incorporate covering things with plastic or moving them to a protected region.

6. Tidying and Cleaning: The most vital phase in deep cleaning is typically cleaning and cleaning down all surfaces. This incorporates racks, ledges, baseboards, and windowsills. The group will utilize microfiber materials and safe cleaning items to trap residue and allergens.

7. Vacuuming: Next, the gathering will vacuum floor covers, mats, and upholstery. They will use a vacuum with a HEPA channel, which is planned to trap minute particles that standard vacuums could miss.

8. Scouring and Sanitizing: The gathering will then endlessly clean all surfaces, including floors, walls, and kitchen and washroom locales. This takes out any extra soil and microorganisms.

9. Deep-Cleaning Carpets and Upholstery: Floor covers and upholstery can trap a lot of buildup and allergens. The gathering will use steam cleaning or other deep-cleaning strategies to totally clean these areas.

10. Cleaning Hard-to-Show up at Districts: The gathering will in like manner clean locales that are a large part of the time disregarded, like behind and under goods, light establishments, and rooftop fans.

11. Last Survey: While the cleaning is done, the gathering will do a last assessment to guarantee everything is flawless. They will in like manner speak with you to promise you are content with the results.

Ways of keeping a Flawless Home While deep cleaning is basic, keeping an unblemished in between these gatherings is similarly huge. The following are a couple of clues to help you with keeping your home unblemished and strong: 1. Standard Cleaning and Vacuuming: Buildup and vacuum your home every time to monitor buildup and allergens. Use a vacuum with a HEPA channel for the best results.

1. Use Air Purifiers: Air purifiers can help with disposing of allergens from the air and further foster indoor air quality.

2. Wash Bedding Regularly: Wash your bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and covers, something like once each week to kill dust bugs and allergens.

3. Keep Windows Shut: During high residue seasons, keep windows shut to hold allergens back from entering your home.

4. Use Mats: Spot mats at all ways to trap soil and allergens before they enter your home. Enable family members and guests to wipe their feet before coming inside.

5. Tidy up: Keep your home wreck permitted to make cleaning more clear and diminish the amount of where buildup and allergens can total.

Picking the Right Deep House Cleaning Service Near Me While looking for a deep house cleaning service, it's key to pick one that fathoms and addresses the necessities of people with awareness and responsive characteristics. The following are a couple of factors to consider: 1. Experience and Reputation: Quest for a service with a respectable standing and inclusion with deep cleaning homes. Grasp reviews and solicitation recommendations from partners or family.

1. Usage of Safe Things: Assurance the cleaning service uses non-noxious, eco-obliging cleaning things that are okay for people with responsive qualities and awarenesses.

2. Revamped Cleaning Plans: Pick a service that offers changed cleaning plans specially designed to your specific necessities and concerns.

3. Arranged Staff: Guarantee the cleaning staff are entirely ready and instructed about secured and reasonable cleaning techniques.

4. Guarantee: A good cleaning service should offer a satisfaction guarantee. This infers they will come clean any locales you are not content with at no additional cost.

Conclusion Deep house cleaning is something other than an exhaustive cleaning of your house; it's tied in with making a better and more open to residing climate. For individuals with sensitivities and responsive qualities, a delicate and strong way to deal with deep cleaning is fundamental. By utilizing safe items, zeroing in on pain points, and utilizing delicate cleaning techniques, proficient deep cleaning services can have a massive effect in the personal satisfaction for those impacted by allergens.

Keep in mind, while deep cleaning is urgent, keeping a spotless home between deep cleaning meetings is likewise significant. By following basic cleaning tips and picking the right deep cleaning service, you can guarantee that your home remaining parts a protected and solid safe house for yourself as well as your loved ones

@ 9e915942:f8133dec

I am not a therapist

Part one of a three-part series called "Breaking my silence on social-emotional learning" I’ve been suspicious of “social-emotional circles” since I learned about them, several years ago. My first concern was how to fit this practice into a curriculum in which two snow days can mean I have to cut content. However, my second and more substantive concern, was that, put simply, I am not a therapist and am not equipped to lead an exercise like this. After reading Bad Therapy: Why the kids aren’t growing up, by Abigail Shier, I’m not only convinced that I shouldn’t do these in my classroom, I think they should rarely be done in classrooms at all.

While this and the next couple of posts will focus on circles, the book has raised many flags for me about things we routinely do in schools intended to help kids’ mental health. She argues we, the well-intentioned people who work with young people, frequently commit iatrogenesis (harm caused by those attempting to heal) and argues that many of our best-intentioned interventions likely cause more harm than benefit. I chose circles for a couple reasons. First, it’s relevant to many teachers because it – along with restorative practices, social-emotional learning (SEL) generally, and trauma-informed education – has become quite popular over the last several years. Second, it provides a concrete case study that exemplifies broader issues with SEL in schools.

For those of you unfamiliar with restorative circles, I’ll try to give you the TL:DR. A teacher puts the students in her class in a circle. Basically she then goes around the circle and everyone has the opportunity to share something. There are many variations on this. The teacher might ask students to share how they are feeling that day (check-in style circle), something their struggling with recently or something good that’s happened, or how something that happened in class - like an outburst by a student, for example - made them feel. All of these types or circles have been suggested in the trainings that I’ve attended to varying degrees. (You can read more about restorative circles here, which explains in detail more or less the what I’ve learned about them in trainings.)

For now, I want to focus on the more “meaningful” types of circles, not the “check-in” types. These are designed to help students build empathy and other social-emotional skills as well as help students process something they, or the class as a whole, is going through. (Although Shier has convinced me that the check-in style circles are a bad practice as well – an argument I plan to flesh out in part three.)

I am not a therapist

You might be wondering, if a teacher has time to do them, what could be the harm in doing these regularly with students? Wouldn’t they help build a stronger classroom community?

Let’s suppose that time is not an issue. The biggest problem I see is that I am not a therapist and nearly every teacher is not trained as a therapist either.

I remember sitting in trainings and imagining situations in which I’m running a circle and a kid shares something and bursts into tears. Or shares something deeply personal that maybe they shouldn’t have shared with me or their peers. Or calls out another student in class for some reason, creating a conflict in front of the entire class. Whenever circles were described to me it felt like a description of group therapy, and I am simply not trained to handle the variety of situations that might arise in group therapy. In fact, if you really want to see how closely they resemble each other, check out this page by the counseling Center Group for group therapy in New York City and compare it the description of circles in the article I linked above. You’ll find a lot of common themes, although the group therapy article emphasizes repeatedly that trained therapists will be leading the groups. 

I’ve raised this concern with individual colleagues and in various meetings over the last several years, including recently at a district-level diversity, equity, and inclusion task force meeting. This is not a direct quote, but I’m most often met with some flavor of the following, either from a teacher who uses circles often, an education consultant leading professional development, or an administrator who has seen teachers run them:

Most of the time these concerns aren’t an issue. Kids don’t share those kinds of things. If anything gets shared beyond what you think you can handle, you can always end the circle and bring in a school counselor to help you with that individual student or to help you run the circle again to address what happened. Maybe you should work with a teacher who does circles often to help you feel more comfortable.

Sometimes other tips are also shared at this point – a sort of ad hoc list of group therapy hacks. Start doing circles with light-hearted prompts to help build community, they might say. Make sure students know they can “pass” and don’t have to share if they don’t want to share. Don’t pass judgement on what students share, be empathic, ask open questions instead of closed questions. And so on.

This is akin to taking a truck driver and giving him a three-hour training on driving a school bus and telling him he can start a bus route next week. When he says he’s not sure that he can actually pull that off, he’s told that “opening the door is actually pretty easy to figure out, remember to take wide turns, and don’t forget to stop at every railroad crossing. I’ll let you talk with Sam – he’s been driving bus on the side for years! I’m sure you’ll do great!”

Are there similarities between driving a semi-truck and trailer and a school bus? Of course. Are there some truck drivers who could make the switch and be just fine after some practice? Certainly. Will there be many accidents, some of which are avoidable and catastrophic? If this practice continues long enough – absolutely.

Similarly, some interpersonal skills required to teach overlap with those needed by therapists, surely some teachers would be good therapists with minimal training, and having this as a practice by an institution will almost certainly lead to kids being victims of mishandled situations (iatrogenesis).

Bad therapy in circles - a specific example

Undoubtedly, many bad therapy practices are hidden from me because I don’t have the expertise to know what I don’t know, but I want to share one bad practice that Shier writes about to help make my point – therapist self-disclosure.

When educators are taught about circles we are told that if we share personal stories then we will build trust with our students and this will encourage them to share more as well. From the Edutopia article linked above, we are told, “Share authentically of yourself. This gives others permission to do the same.”

Unfortunately, this is usually unethical according to Shier (she cites this paper, which doesn’t argue that self-disclosure is always unethical, but that it is a very nuanced question in psychotherapy and that generally erring away from self-disclosure is best; which reiterates my argument since, as I’m not trained in psychotherapy, I’m not even aware of the aspects of it which are nuanced or settled or debated. But, I digress). Shier writes about a teacher (Kendra Jones, cited from this Education Week article) who is “very vulnerable” with her students and goes on to say the following:

Interestingly, were Jones an actual therapist, such self disclosure would be considered unethical. Anytime a therapist might be inclined to share her personal history in order to gratify her own need, she must abstain in order to prioritize the clients needs. And here’s where things get tricky: teachers aren't actually trained in psychotherapy, and they aren't bound by its ethical guidelines, either. Setting up an “emotional sharing” session may sound good, but typically, therapists perform this function under ethical guidelines, so that they don't inadvertently exploit or betray their patients.

Are the nuances of psychotherapy explored in trainings about restorative circles? Of course not. Because the trainers know that we aren’t therapists! Again, when I have raised this issue I’m told that this should not really be a concern - if you think anything is beyond what you can handle, get support from one of the school counselors.

SEL circles exist in a superposition of importance; they are simultaneously innocuous enough that a teacher needn’t worry about not being trained in psychotherapy, but important enough that every teacher should be working to integrate them in all of their classes.

The problems with SEL circles go beyond my lack of training in psychotherapy. In the next post I will explore the issues of confidentiality in circles and in part three explain how even if I was a therapist and we could somehow erase the issue of confidentiality, we still shouldn’t try to make circles a common practice.

Disclaimer: I realize that in writing this and publishing it publicly I run the risk of upsetting some friends, colleagues, and, potentially, administrators. Unfortunately, there are times when that risk must be taken in order to say what is true, needs to be said, and is not being said. I write this while passing no bad judgement on any educator who has implemented restorative circles or other restorative and social-emotional learning practices in their school or classroom. We have had countless trainers in countless hours of professional development the last several years telling us that this is best for kids – that kids will learn better and be more emotionally healthy if we do this. I don’t fault anyone for doing what we were told by the experts was best practice. I hope only to illuminate a contrary perspective that, in my opinion and experience, has significant ramifications if we are to truly do what’s best for our students.

@ dbc828cc:ed78a663

El nuevo continente

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La siguiente es la carta de respuesta a mi amigo de Japón, Yamaguchi, quien me ha preguntado acerca de la vida en el "nuevo continente". Para ser más precisos, la relación que el continente tiene con bitcoin. Su servidor solamente ha conocido algunas partes de México y El Salvador así que por esta ocasión solo voy a escribir acerca del segundo país, al cuál ya considero un segundo hogar.

A continuación algunas fotografías con descripciones que ayuden a comunicar ideas de medianoche acerca del nuevo continente y bitcoin. Por otro lado, este escrito se ha procurado intencionalmente con el idioma Español en mente, mi lengua nativa, para fines de hacerle la tarea más fácil a ChatGPT, quien nos ayuda a traducir nuestras conversaciones.

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¿Nuevo y viejo; este, y oeste?

Yamaguchi se ha referido al continente Americano como el "nuevo continente". Esto me ha sorprendido pues, desde mi experiencia, el continente Asiático, —para nosotros al menos—, es más comúnmente conocido como el continente del Este. (Eastern and Western). Llamarlo "nuevo" acarrea ya una connotación distinta a la geográfica, y la traslada a la temporal. Pues bien, para honrar la idea a propósito de una connotación temporal que mejor describa el carácter jovial de de Latinoamérica, ciertamente puedo confirmar que la vida de experiencia en El Salvador se aprecia temprana, pero llena de entusiasmo.

Para todos fue una sorpresa el anuncio de bitcoin como moneda de recurso legal en El Salvador. La siguiente sorpresa para la gente Salvadoreña fue presenciar el ir y venir de extranjeros curiosos, energéticos y en algunas ocasiones, faltos de vergüenza. ¿Qué se le va a hacer?, por eso y por otras cosas son conocidos los bitcoineros :).

Como tal parece que sucede en otros lugares del mundo, las grandes ciudades parecen más precavidas acerca del uso de bitcoin; desconfiadas, en algunos otros casos. No es para menos; en la ciudad a menudo las estafas y la criminalidad le hacen pasar malos ratos a las personas, y lamentablemente, el costo es la confianza.

En la playa y en las montañas, sin embargo, las cosas mejoran. Bitcoin Beach es el nombre de la iniciativa que ha inaugurado un sueño parecido en muchos de nosotros; aún sin poder responder precisamente ¿cuál es ese sueño?, es posible asegurar que se puede "sentir" y que de este modo, el valor de la confianza puede ser reconstruido.

La gente Salvadoreña es muy trabajadora y de buen humor. El pueblo de El Salvador ha tenido que hacer frente a periodos de guerra, de violencia y carestía; pero a pesar de las adversidades, en sus corazones no se ha acomodado el resentimiento y en cambio, se ha permitido lugar a la bondad, el compañerismo y el esfuerzo.

Por un lado más generalizado; tal parece que las oportunidades de inversión y empleo lucen optimistas. El Salvador tiene reconocidas producciones de café, caña, y energía volcánica ;). Mejor conocido por ser un destino clave para quiénes practican surf, El Salvador parece comenzar a abrir sus puertas a nuevas ideas.

Ahora bien, personalmente hablando, para mi El Salvador es como un pequeño México. Las regiones climáticas y culturales son bastante parecidas, pero sin duda parece una buena ventaja tener las montañas y las playas a poca distancia; es posible cambiar de atmósfera en un mismo día.

Finalmente, me despido con un viejo refrán que viene a propósito del entusiasmo que bitcoin irradia no solamente hacia Latinoamérica, sino al mundo entero: "con calma, que llevo prisa". Es decir, si bien los sentimientos de energía, ímpetu y entusiasmo son alimento nutritivo para el espíritu; cuando se abusa de sus bendiciones se puede también propiciar la generación de malos hábitos o accidentes. Es mejor ir con con calma pero con confianza ;). Buenas noches.

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

If we want to have a clean heart, to know Jesus as Savior, and to join Him in heaven for all eternity, we need a new heart.

A friend of ours from church had a failing heart. It wasn’t working right. He couldn’t do any physical activity. Eventually he was limited to bedrest. He needed a new heart (physical). One day, a heart donor became available. Someone needed to die so that he could get the new heart he needed. One day, he went through surgery and a new physical heart was implanted in his chest. After receiving a new heart, he had to go through lots of Physical Therapy to build up his body and his heart, so everything was working as it was supposed to.

In the same way we are broken, sinful men and women. Our hearts are corrupted and failing and we are quickly heading towards death. Jesus died to take away our sins and when we repent of our sins, acknowledge Him as our Savior, Lord, and God, He gives us a new heart.

From the moment of salvation, we have a new heart and are a new person. This is Salvation and it happens instantaneously. We go from spiritually dead to spiritually alive.

Born Again

Being born again is a hard thing to understand. Even the top spiritual leaders of Jesus’s time couldn’t understand it. Here is Jesus’s explanation:

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” (John 3:1-21) {emphasis mine}

One thing that science has never been able to explain is the soul of man. People are more than just biology. We are body, mind, and soul. We are more than chemical reactions. Our body may be finite and decaying, but our soul is not. It will exist for all eternity.

The important thing is that our soul be renewed to its perfect state by repentance and faith in Jesus.

When my sons were little, I allowed them to make small mistakes where they suffered small consequences, so they could learn and avoid making big mistakes with life changing consequences. I encouraged them to climb stairs in spots where there were only 2-3 steps, so they could fall, learn about heights, but not get any serious injuries. I allowed them to waste a few dollars and regret their choices, so they would not waste their money and indebt themselves in adulthood.

In the same way, God allowed Adam and Eve to chose to disobey God and pay the consequences for that choice, but He also made a way to escape those consequences. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” We now have a second chance to make the right choice and to choose to repent and trust Jesus. If we chose to reject Jesus, we are “judged already, because he(we) has(have) not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Regeneration

When we are born again, there should be an immediate change in our thoughts, words, and actions. No, we don’t go from non-stop sinners to perfect saints in that instant, but there should be immediate change. Depending on our lives before accepting Jesus, this change may be more or less dramatic, but it should still be obvious to those around them.

When my oldest son was little, he said that he had trusted Jesus. He was a people pleaser and a submissive child and he wanted to please his parents. The first time he told us this, we looked at his life and rather easily determined that he had not truly been saved. A year or two later, he came and said the same thing. At that point we saw a definite change in him that was obvious to us despite the fact that he had been a “good” son before being born again. There is always a change.

In the case of Saul/Paul, the change in his life was immediately obvious to everyone around him.

Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way (Christians), both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (Acts 9:1-16)

Saul went from doing everything in his power to destroy the church and to destroy all belief in Jesus to being Paul who suffered and died to share the truth of Jesus with people all around the world. The change was so dramatic that even many of the Christians couldn’t believe that his conversion was real. It didn’t make sense to them. Only the power of God is able to change a heart from sinfulness leading to separation from God, to righteousness and love leading to eternity in God’s presence. Of all the miracles in the Bible, this change of heart in believers may be the greatest.

Salvation vs Sanctification

From the moment of saving faith and repentance, we have God’s salvation.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)

We are given the gift of His forgiveness, the indwelling of His Spirit, and the promise of eternity with Him. On the other hand, sanctification takes time. Sanctification takes effort learning to submit to God’s will and to rely on the power of the Spirit in us rather than on our own power.

In the movie A Princess Bride, one of the main characters, Wesley, is tortured “to death.” The other characters take him to Miracle Max to see if he can be brought back to life. Miracle Max says Wesley is “only mostly dead and mostly dead is partially alive.” Some believers are only mostly dead, but mostly dead is partially alive. Sanctification is the process of reviving us from mostly dead, to alive and in the image of God and His son, Jesus Christ.

No Christian should stay in this mostly dead state. We should NOT resemble the sinners of the world. We should resemble Jesus. The Holy Spirit helps guide us and empower us to become more alive and more like Jesus. He changes our hearts from a cold heart of stone, to a loving heart in accordance to God’s will.

Although sanctification is really a work of the Holy Spirit, there are things we can do, with the help of the Spirit to become more alive in Jesus. We can read the Bible to learn more about who God is and what He expects from us. We can pray for His help accomplishing His will and changing our will to be inline with His will. The more we know about God and who He is, the more we know what we should become and what is pleasing to Him.

Being saved requires us to know that Jesus is God and that we are sinners. It requires us to trust in what Jesus did for us and to submit to His will. Being sanctified requires so much more. How can we trust someone we don’t really know? How can we become like someone of whom we only have a cursory knowledge? We need to know more about God (primarily by reading the Bible), and we need to know God better (primarily by talking to Him and listening to Him through prayer).

Sanctification also requires time. Nobody becomes an expert at anything instantly. We get better at things through practice. Now this doesn’t mean that we sanctify ourselves or do this by ourselves. Just like salvation is a work of God, so is sanctification, but we do need to learn over time. As we trust Him and obey Him, we see that He is faithful and His way is the best way causing us to trust and obey Him more. It builds on itself helping us to grow to become more like Jesus. Sins (no matter how “small”) that didn’t seem like a big deal will become a big deal to us as we grow to view the world as God does.

And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)

This growth will prepare us for eternity in God’s presence.

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. (Revelation 3:12)

God can do anything, but I’ve never seen a person instantly go from being a sinner, separated from God to having a 100% proper view of God and His will and having a perfectly correct view of our relationship with Him. Hopefully as you live your life through the power of the Holy Spirit, you will continue growing in this wisdom, in knowledge of Him, and in likeness to Jesus.

Pray with me, “Create in me a clean heart.”

Trust Jesus.

FYI, Read my whole series on the individual fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5

Bible verses are NASB (New American Standard Bible) 1995 edition unless otherwise stated

@ da18e986:3a0d9851

After months of development I am excited to officially announce the first version of DVMDash (v0.1). DVMDash is a monitoring and debugging tool for all Data Vending Machine (DVM) activity on Nostr. The website is live at https://dvmdash.live and the code is available on Github.

Data Vending Machines (NIP-90) offload computationally expensive tasks from relays and clients in a decentralized, free-market manner. They are especially useful for AI tools, algorithmic processing of user’s feeds, and many other use cases.

The long term goal of DVMDash is to become 1) a place to easily see what’s happening in the DVM ecosystem with metrics and graphs, and 2) provide real-time tools to help developers monitor, debug, and improve their DVMs.

DVMDash aims to enable users to answer these types of questions at a glance: * What’s the most popular DVM right now? * How much money is being paid to image generation DVMs? * Is any DVM down at the moment? When was the last time that DVM completed a task? * Have any DVMs failed to deliver after accepting payment? Did they refund that payment? * How long does it take this DVM to respond? * For task X, what’s the average amount of time it takes for a DVM to complete the task? * … and more

For developers working with DVMs there is now a visual, graph based tool that shows DVM-chain activity. DVMs have already started calling other DVMs to assist with work. Soon, we will have humans in the loop monitoring DVM activity, or completing tasks themselves. The activity trace of which DVM is being called as part of a sub-task from another DVM will become complicated, especially because these decisions will be made at run-time and are not known ahead of time. Building a tool to help users and developers understand where a DVM is in this activity trace, whether it’s gotten stuck or is just taking a long time, will be invaluable. For now, the website only shows 1 step of a dvm chain from a user's request.

One of the main designs for the site is that it is highly clickable, meaning whenever you see a DVM, Kind, User, or Event ID, you can click it and open that up in a new page to inspect it.

Another aspect of this website is that it should be fast. If you submit a DVM request, you should see it in DVMDash within seconds, as well as events from DVMs interacting with your request. I have attempted to obtain DVM events from relays as quickly as possible and compute metrics over them within seconds.

This project makes use of a nosql database and graph database, currently set to use mongo db and neo4j, for which there are free, community versions that can be run locally.

Finally, I’m grateful to nostr:npub10pensatlcfwktnvjjw2dtem38n6rvw8g6fv73h84cuacxn4c28eqyfn34f for supporting this project.

Features in v0.1:

Global Network Metrics:

This page shows the following metrics: - DVM Requests: Number of unencrypted DVM requests (kind 5000-5999) - DVM Results: Number of unencrypted DVM results (kind 6000-6999) - DVM Request Kinds Seen: Number of unique kinds in the Kind range 5000-5999 (except for known non-DVM kinds 5666 and 5969) - DVM Result Kinds Seen: Number of unique kinds in the Kind range 6000-6999 (except for known non-DVM kinds 6666 and 6969) - DVM Pub Keys Seen: Number of unique pub keys that have written a kind 6000-6999 (except for known non-DVM kinds) or have published a kind 31990 event that specifies a ‘k’ tag value between 5000-5999 - DVM Profiles (NIP-89) Seen: Number of 31990 that have a ‘k’ tag value for kind 5000-5999 - Most Popular DVM: The DVM that has produced the most result events (kind 6000-6999) - Most Popular Kind: The Kind in range 5000-5999 that has the most requests by users. - 24 hr DVM Requests: Number of kind 5000-5999 events created in the last 24 hrs - 24 hr DVM Results: Number of kind 6000-6999 events created in the last 24 hours - 1 week DVM Requests: Number of kind 5000-5999 events created in the last week - 1 week DVM Results: Number of kind 6000-6999 events created in the last week - Unique Users of DVMs: Number of unique pubkeys of kind 5000-5999 events - Total Sats Paid to DVMs: - This is an estimate. - This value is likely a lower bound as it does not take into consideration subscriptions paid to DVMs - This is calculated by counting the values of all invoices where: - A DVM published a kind 7000 event requesting payment and containing an invoice - The DVM later provided a DVM Result for the same job for which it requested payment. - The assumption is that the invoice was paid, otherwise the DVM would not have done the work - Note that because there are multiple ways to pay a DVM such as lightning invoices, ecash, and subscriptions, there is no guaranteed way to know whether a DVM has been paid. Additionally, there is no way to know that a DVM completed the job because some DVMs may not publish a final result event and instead send the user a DM or take some other kind of action.

Recent Requests:

This page shows the most recent 3 events per kind, sorted by created date. You should always be able to find the last 3 events here of all DVM kinds.

DVM Browser:

This page will either show a profile of a specific DVM, or when no DVM is given in the url, it will show a table of all DVMs with some high level stats. Users can click on a DVM in the table to load the DVM specific page.

Kind Browser:

This page will either show data on a specific kind including all DVMs that have performed jobs of that kind, or when no kind is given, it will show a table summarizing activity across all Kinds.

Debug:

This page shows the graph based visualization of all events, users, and DVMs involved in a single job as well as a table of all events in order from oldest to newest. When no event is given, this page shows the 200 most recent events where the user can click on an event in order to debug that job. The graph-based visualization allows the user to zoom in and out and move around the graph, as well as double click on any node in the graph (except invoices) to open up that event, user, or dvm in a new page.

Playground:

This page is currently under development and may not work at the moment. If it does work, in the current state you can login with NIP-07 extension and broadcast a 5050 event with some text and then the page will show you events from DVMs. This page will be used to interact with DVMs live. A current good alternative to this feature, for some but not all kinds, is https://vendata.io/.

Looking to the Future

I originally built DVMDash out of Fear-of-Missing-Out (FOMO); I wanted to make AI systems that were comprised of DVMs but my day job was taking up a lot of my time. I needed to know when someone was performing a new task or launching a new AI or Nostr tool!

I have a long list of DVMs and Agents I hope to build and I needed DVMDash to help me do it; I hope it helps you achieve your goals with Nostr, DVMs, and even AI. To this end, I wish for this tool to be useful to others, so if you would like a feature, please submit a git issue here or note me on Nostr!

Immediate Next Steps:

• Refactoring code and removing code that is no longer used
• Improve documentation to run the project locally
• Adding a metric for number of encrypted requests
• Adding a metric for number of encrypted results

Long Term Goals:

• Add more metrics based on community feedback
• Add plots showing metrics over time
• Add support for showing a multi-dvm chain in the graph based visualizer
• Add a real-time mode where the pages will auto update (currently the user must refresh the page)
• ... Add support for user requested features!

Acknowledgements

There are some fantastic people working in the DVM space right now. Thank you to nostr:npub1drvpzev3syqt0kjrls50050uzf25gehpz9vgdw08hvex7e0vgfeq0eseet for making python bindings for nostr_sdk and for the recent asyncio upgrades! Thank you to nostr:npub1nxa4tywfz9nqp7z9zp7nr7d4nchhclsf58lcqt5y782rmf2hefjquaa6q8 for answering lots of questions about DVMs and for making the nostrdvm library. Thank you to nostr:npub1l2vyh47mk2p0qlsku7hg0vn29faehy9hy34ygaclpn66ukqp3afqutajft for making the original DVM NIP and vendata.io which I use all the time for testing!

P.S. I rushed to get this out in time for Nostriga 2024; code refactoring will be coming :)

@ 30ceb64e:7f08bdf5

Heres a scenario:

Imagine you have a nostr e-cash/Lightning Wallet and you would like to have a maximum receive balance of 20k split in between 5 mints that enable multipath payments.

Pick 5 mints below to store 4k sats each, the funds are automatically withdrawn to your lightning node at the end of the day.

Stacker News Robosats Sparrow Coinkite Start9 Rabbit Hole Recap @siggy47 Damus LND Your own mint

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/648298

@ 30ceb64e:7f08bdf5

It's wild. I just proved I can build #nostr 'wallet' where I can store the encrypted tokens in a Germany relay and make the lightning payment out of a Singapore mint. All using a #nsec that never leaves my machine. https://primal.net/e/note15l02rf4r474ck04mlrxxfagyl0z6t04ltsugf9dtph4xxhzfnd4sqpk74n

I’ve proven to myself that a #nostr wallet can exist across time and space, independently of any one app, server or custodian. The only thing which controls the ‘wallet’ is the generation and control of an #nsec which is free to exist within or flee any jurisdiction.

In my mind, this lays to rest the notion that a wallet needs to be an app, service, or anything that can be captured commercially or by the state. https://primal.net/e/note13nwsh852x9tfex2jade6vwymhhct8zussxr4zwy7uag24hjc9stq0xsxaf

https://image.nostr.build/07dd1b56d6bb60b13cfe6c19d9384bc3ef198d01af4be9a5c544f791b80b746a.png

I am thinking about coining the term “nsac” to refer to a wallet-like thing that can exist on #nostr holding your valuable things, such as ecash tokens. I have already implemented a prototype #cashu ecash wallet which looks to be promising.

So you would have:

npub - your identity

nsec - your private key

nsac - your valuables

Your #nsac could be the same as your #nsec but better case is to generate as many #nsacs as required.

Happy to hear feedback!

For reference, what a ‘sac’ is in the biological sense:

A sac is a biological term referring to a pouch or cavity in an organism that is typically enclosed and may contain fluid, air, or other substances. Sacs can serve various functions depending on their location and role in the body, such as protecting a developing embryo, facilitating the exchange of gases in the lungs, or reducing friction between moving parts in joints

https://primal.net/e/note1snj7y9m6f7lhfzkd2ujzqcvparpgddzmgcgwsgghqvkcyd0rkqhsmmlyla

npub1q6mcr8tlr3l4gus3sfnw6772s7zae6hqncmw5wj27ejud5wcxf7q0nx7d5

Wild stuff freaks, will nostr become the best lightning/E-Cash wallet? Let me know what you think.

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/648270

@ a9434ee1:d5c885be

Markdown + X, Y, Z is a problem, but Markdown + N can fix that.
Where N = any type of Nostr event.

Whatever Markup language you choose, people will be referencing other Nostr events in it all the time. Since apps have to find ways to display those events (or the links to them) anyway, we mights as well use that as an opportunity.

Why can't Tables, for example, be embedded Nostr events?

Switching from Markdown to Asciidocs (because it has tables and some more technical stuff) still doesn’t make Tables a great experience. On mobile, Tables are notoriously hard to display in a useful way. It depends on the use case, size of the table, etc….

Creators need guarantees on these things being displayed the way they intended.
There’s a reason why most authors just embed pictures of tables instead. It has little to do with Markdown not really supporting tables and more with them ensuring readability and appropriate styling.

So what if you enhance Markdown not only with embedded Nostr Events but also with something like Hypernotes Widgets that serve as a preview/display for those Nostr Events?

That way: - you are still using the most simple and popular markup language - devs “only” have to implement one extra thing (Hypernotes) that handles all the complexity and extensibility from there - authors can create articles and wiki entries with interactive elements in them, can have the guarantee that they display properly, can use any styling that suits them, etc… - the worst case scenario of reading it in a random crappy app still displays the link to the event (including it's explanatory metadata)

Imagine custom interactive graphs, polls, media players, products, … embedded in articles BUT limited to the Nostr-verse for all interaction and data fetching.

(this article will be updated with UI prototypes and further thoughts)

@ 1c9dcd8f:1852f704

Many strange spells are effected by the means of a dead man’s hand—chiefly to produce butter in the churn. The milk is stirred round nine times with the dead hand, the operator crying aloud all the time, “Gather! gather! gather!” While a secret form of words is used which none but the initiated know.

Another use is to facilitate robberies. If a candle is placed in a dead hand, neither wind nor water can extinguish it. And if carried into a house the inmates will sleep the sleep of the dead as long as it remains under the roof, and no power on earth can wake them while the dead hand holds the candle.

---

For a mystic charm, one of the strongest known is the hand of an unbaptized infant fresh taken from the grave in the name of the Evil One.

---

A dead hand is esteemed also a certain cure for most diseases, and many a time sick people have been brought to a house where a corpse lay that the hand of the dead might be laid on them.

--

The souls of the dead who may happen to die abroad, greatly desire to rest in Ireland. And the relations deem it their duty to bring back the body to be laid in Irish earth. But even then the dead will not rest peaceably unless laid with their forefathers and their own people, and not amongst strangers.

---

A young girl happened to die of a fever while away on a visit to some friends, and her father thought it safer not to bring her home, but to have her buried in the nearest churchyard. However, a few nights after his return home, he was awakened by a mournful wail at the window, and a voice cried, “I am alone; I am alone; I am alone!” Then the poor father knew well what it meant, and he prayed in the name of God that the spirit of his dead child might rest in peace until the morning. And when the day broke he arose and set off to the strange burial ground, and there he drew the coffin from the earth, and had it carried all the way back from Cork to Mayo; and after he had laid the dead in the old graveyard beside his people and his kindred, the spirit of his child had rest, and the mournful cry was no more heard in the night.

---

The corner of a sheet that has wrapped a corpse is a cure for headache if tied round the head.

---

The ends of candles used at wakes are of great efficacy in curing burns.

---

A piece of linen wrap taken from a corpse will cure the swelling of a limb if tied round the part affected.

---

It is believed that the spirit of the dead last buried has to watch in the churchyard until another corpse is laid there; or has to perform menial offices in the spirit world, such as carrying wood and water until the next spirit comes from earth. They are also sent on messages to earth, chiefly to announce the coming death of some relative, and at this they are glad, for then their time of peace and rest will come at last.

---

If any one stumbles at a grave it is a bad omen; but if he falls and touches the clay, he will assuredly die before the year is out.

---

Any one meeting a funeral must turn back and walk at least four steps with the mourners.

---

If the nearest relative touches the hand of a corpse it will utter a wild cry if not quite dead.

---

On Twelfth Night the dead walk, and on every tile of the house a soul is sitting, waiting for your prayers to take it out of purgatory.

---

There are many strange superstitions in the western islands of Connemara. At night the dead can be heard laughing with the fairies and spinning the flax. One girl declared that she distinctly heard her dead mother’s voice singing a mournful Irish air away down in the heart of the hill. But after a year and a day the voices cease, and the dead are gone for ever.

---

It is a custom in the West, when a corpse is carried to the grave, for the bearers to stop half way, while the nearest relatives build up a small monument of loose stones, and no hand would ever dare to touch or disturb this monument while the world lasts.

---

When the grave is dug, a cross is made of two spades, and the coffin is carried round it three times before being placed in the clay. Then the prayers for the dead are said, all the people kneeling with uncovered head.

@ 1c9dcd8f:1852f704

It is especially dangerous to be out late on the last night of November, for it is the closing scene of the revels—the last night when the dead have leave to dance on the hill with the fairies, and after that they must all go back to their graves and lie in the chill, cold earth, without music or wine till the next November comes round, when they all spring up again in their shrouds and rush out into the moonlight with mad laughter.

One November night, a woman of Shark Island, coming home late at the hour of the dead, grew tired and sat down to rest, when presently a young man came up and talked to her.

“Wait a bit,” he said, “and you will see the most beautiful dancing you ever looked on there by the side of the hill.”

And she looked at him steadily. He was very pale, and seemed sad.

“Why are you so sad?” she asked, “and as pale as if you were dead?”

“Look well at me,” he answered. “Do you not know me?”

“Yes, I know you now,” she said. “You are young Brien that was drowned last year when out fishing. What are you here for?”

“Look,” he said, “at the side of the hill and you will see why I am here.”

And she looked, and saw a great company dancing to sweet music; and amongst them were all the dead who had died as long as she could remember—men, women, and children, all in white, and their faces were pale as the moonlight.

“Now,” said the young man, “run for your life; for if once the fairies bring you into the dance you will never be able to leave them any more.”

But while they were talking, the fairies came up and danced round her in a circle, joining their hands. And she fell to the ground in a faint, and knew no more till she woke up in the morning in her own bed at home. And they all saw that her face was pale as the dead, and they knew that she had got the fairy-stroke. So the herb doctor was sent for, and every measure tried to save her, but without avail, for just as the moon rose that night, soft, low music was heard round the house, and when they looked at the woman she was dead.

It is a custom amongst the people, when throwing away water at night, to cry out in a loud voice, “Take care of the water;” or, literally from the Irish, “Away with yourself from the water”—for they say the spirits of the dead last buried are then wandering about, and it would be dangerous if the water fell on them.

One dark winter’s night a woman suddenly threw out a pail of boiling water without thinking of the warning words. Instantly a cry was heard as of a person in pain, but no one was seen. However, the next night a black lamb entered the house, having the back all fresh scalded, and it lay down moaning by the hearth and died. Then they all knew this was the spirit that had been scalded by the woman. And they carried the dead lamb out reverently and buried it deep in the earth. Yet every night at the same hour it walked again into the house and lay down and moaned and died. And after this had happened many times, the priest was sent for, and finally, by the strength of his exorcism, the spirit of the dead was laid to rest, and the black lamb appeared no more. Neither was the body of the dead lamb found in the grave when they searched for it, though it had been laid by their own hands deep in the earth and covered with the clay.

Before an accident happens to a boat, or a death by drowning, low music is often heard, as if under the water, along with harmonious lamentations, and then every one in the boat knows that some young man or beautiful young girl is wanted by the fairies, and is doomed to die. The best safeguard is to have music and singing in the boat, for the fairies are so enamoured of the mortal voices and music that they forget to weave the spell till the fatal moment has passed, and then all in the boat are safe from harm.

@ c0a57a12:8b230f7a

Concept:

This sauce is intended to be used on 10-16 lb smoked pork butt (Boston Butt). #foodstr

Ingredients:

• 1 Pineapple (cored, peeled)
• 2 cup coconut water
• 1/3 cup Red Wine Vinegar
• 6 Scotch Bonnet Peppers or 3 TBSP Eaton's Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce
• 4 tbsp minced garlic
• 4 tbsp minced onion
• 4 tbsp ground allspice
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp ground clove
• 1 tbsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 2 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp salt

Instructions:

1. Core pineapple
2. Place all ingredients in blender. Blend well.
3. Pour purée into medium saucepan
4. Reduce to thicken.
5. Allow sauce to cool.

@ c0a57a12:8b230f7a

Concept:

This sauce is intended to be used on 10-16 lb smoked pork butt (Boston Butt). #foodstr

Ingredients:

• 1 Pineapple (cored, peeled)
• 2 cup coconut water
• 1/3 cup Red Wine Vinegar
• 6 Scotch Bonnet Peppers or 3 TBSP Eaton's Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce
• 4 tbsp minced garlic
• 4 tbsp minced onion
• 4 tbsp ground allspice
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp ground clove
• 1 tbsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 2 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp salt

Instructions:

1. Core pineapple
2. Place all ingredients in blender. Blend well.
3. Pour purée into medium saucepan
4. Reduce to thicken.
5. Allow sauce to cool.

@ 434f9799:2d548c15

一般来说, AdGuard 和 uBlock Origin 用的这种 Adblock Plus 风格的语法非常适合用于匹配 URL, 但是也会存在一些极其少见的情况必须要用到正则来匹配.

比如小红书的网页版, 主页使用参数来定位贴文频道位置:

• https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore?channel_id=homefeed_recommend

而具体的贴文则是:

• https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/xxxxx?xsec_token=xxxxx

如果我们要清理小红书的贴文的参数, 一般就会写这样的规则:

text ||www.xiaohongshu.com/explore^$removeparam

但是这条规则不仅仅匹配到了贴文, 还匹配到了主页, 导致主页用来定位的参数会在刷新后命中规则, 然后被清理.

除非去详细指定要清理的参数键, 类似这样:

text ||www.xiaohongshu.com/explore^$removeparam=/^(p1|p2|p3)=/

这样能避开 channel_id 这样的主页参数被意外清理, 但是要最大限度清理参数非常繁琐(要显式指定每一个目标参数键), 当然也能排除特定的不需要清理(或者说不能)的参数键:

text ||www.xiaohongshu.com/explore^$removeparam=~channel_id

但问题又来了, 我们没办法确定 "不能" 清理的参数键在意外匹配到的页面上是否与实际我们要清理的贴文的 URL 有重合, 很可能一个参数在首页就是重要的, 但在贴文中就是无用的(大多数社媒的贴文页面参数基本都是无用的).

---

另外一个例子是新浪微博, 用户资料页是:

• https://weibo.com/u/xxxxx?tabtype=feed

微博贴文页是:

• https://weibo.com/123456/XrcXwXTWX?from=xxxxx

如果要清理微博贴文 URL 中的全部参数而直接用这条规则:

text ||weibo.com/*/*^$removeparam

很显然就会误伤到用户资料页的参数, 除非我们再写一条规则排除掉资料页:

text @@||weibo.com/u^$removeparam

这种情况在用户侧实际上很多, 我们没办法观测黑盒里全部可以和不可以清理的参数, 只知道部分可以清理的和部分必要的参数. 这种匹配不精准的情况, 要么尽可能探明可以清理的参数精准指定, 要么尽量把规则的匹配范围限定在更加具体的 URL 上只保留部分必要的参数.

本来 "精准匹配" 就是写这类规则的首要考虑目标, 现在既然发现了容易被 "误伤" 的页面, 那就只能退而求其次选择更原始的正则匹配了:

• 小红书贴文:

  text /https?:\/\/www\.xiaohongshu\.com\/explore\/[0-9a-z]+/$removeparam=~xsec_token

• 微博贴文:

  text /https?:\/\/weibo\.com\/[0-9]+\/[0-9a-zA-Z]+/$removeparam

使用正则需要更加注意匹配范围的精确性, AdGuard 里的正则匹配性能相对一般过滤器规则表达式要差(虽然人也没办法非常直观地感受到).

How to create your own ad filters | AdGuard Knowledge Base - Regular expressions support

@ 8d34bd24:414be32b

Throughout this whole series, I have gone through the fruits (evidence) of a life given to Jesus. These are traits we should see in anyone who is born again in Jesus Christ. I thought it would be useful to also show the “fruits” (evidence) of a life that has rejected Jesus. Seeing what the opposite looks like can help us better judge where we stand.

Blessing and Cursing

We can have some idea of who belongs to Jesus by our/their words.

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:1-3)

Are your words more of a blessing or a curse towards God? It isn’t just by these two three-word sentences that we judge. When it comes to truth, do you put God’s word or man’s word first? In whom do you put your faith? When you are deciding what is good and what is evil, do you use man’s culture or the Bible to make your decision? When you decide how to use your time, do you do what everyone else is doing or does God’s will guide your actions? These all speak to where your heart lies. All of these expose whether your heart says “Jesus is Lord” or whether it says “Jesus is accursed.”

God Gave Them Over

There are definite signs of an unrepentant heart, and being unrepentant for long enough leads God to remove His sin restraining power and to give “them over to a depraved mind.” We are seeing this “fruit” of this situation growing in our culture today.

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

…

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. (Romans 1:21-23,28-32)

One thing that the Bible makes clear is that every person alive knows that God exists, whether they admit it or not. One of the reason that Christians (and Jews) are attacked so much is everyone knows that the God of the Bible is different than the made up or demonic gods that others worship. God’s word is attacked more vehemently because they know He is real. Nobody hates a myth with such passion.

We live in the scientific age and many (most?) people put “science” above God and His word. Unfortunately much of what is called science is actually a pseudo-science that is more myth and story telling. It is based on false assumptions, so it always leads to false conclusions. That isn’t to say that real experimental science isn’t very useful. It is. Experimental science, that seeks the truth, is a good thing, but there is a lot of work that is called science that is not science at all. Any time someone says “the science is settled,” it should tell you that they are not talking real science, but more of a politicized, story-telling pseudo-science and it shouldn’t be trusted.

If we know that the God of the Bible is the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent creator of the universe and that He inspired writers to accurately write His word into the Bible, then we know that the Bible is always the highest authority. If science “contradicts” the Bible, it is most likely that the science is wrong. (There is a chance that the Bible is misunderstood, but that is much less likely.) We need to always remember that our omniscient God knows more than any person or all people put together. Putting man’s word above God’s word is sin. As the passage above says, “Professing to be wise, they became fools.”

When we don’t acknowledge God, obey His commands, and believe the truth that He has clearly laid out for us in the Bible, He gives us “over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper.” When we say, “We don’t want God,” He gives us the consequences of that choice.

What are the consequences (fruit) of rejecting God? You could say that the fruit of an unrepentant heart are “being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful.” Is this what you want to be? Is this the kind of person with which you want to surround yourself? Is this the kind of country in which you want to live? I don’t think so.

Somewhat recently, renowned atheist Richard Dawkins complained that England was losing its Christian culture. He missed the Christmas decoration and the Christian morality and such. He has made a career of denigrating Christians, but wanted the culture that Christians bring. He wants a world with a Christian culture that doesn’t include Christians or God. Such a thing never existed and never will. After the rapture, he will see what a world without Christ looks like and he will not like it. We are already seeing the “fruits” of rampant rejection of God.

We are now seeing these “fruits.” “Although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.” Our culture is calling good “evil” and calling evil “good.”

End Times

It seems like everything is getting worse now as God is rejected by more and more people and especially those in positions of influence and power, but in the end times, this trend towards evil will get so much worse.

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

This actually sounds a lot like culture today. Do you notice these traits in society today?

• lovers of self
• lovers of money
• boastful, arrogant
• revilers & malicious gossips
• ungrateful
• unholy
• unloving & irreconcilable (centering around political parties, race, etc.)
• without self-control
• brutal, haters of good, & treacherous
• reckless & conceited
• lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
• holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power (false religion)
• always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of truth (science that denies God)
• Denying God and what Jesus did for us leads to all of these evils.

Unfortunately, there also many who pretend to be holy or even believe they are holy who are not and lead many believers to be unfruitful.

For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. (Titus 1:10-11)

Consequences of Denial of Christ

We’ve clearly seen that denial of Jesus/God or even just refusing to put Him first, leads to many sins that harm relationships and society. Those are the warning signs of what is happening to each and every sinner’s soul.

The more important harm is to our soul and to our future.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

All people will live for eternity. The only question for each individual is whether they will spend an eternity with God in heaven where there is no more pain and suffering or whether they will spend eternity in Hell alone, in darkness, and in pain. The worst thing about Hell will be the lack of hope. God has enabled us to survive a huge amount of suffering when we have hope that the suffering will end one day and that justice will be served. Hell is suffering and knowing it will never end. What is worse than that?

The good news God gives us is “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” Although we have all sinned and sinned badly, we all have the opportunity to repent, to believe in Jesus (including all He did for us), and to submit to His Lordship. We all have the opportunity to turn away from our sins and join God in Heaven some day. What will you choose?

Repent & Choose Jesus

Be like the Roman jailer to whom Paul and Silas said, “… Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31) Don’t be like the Israelites about whom the Bible says “However, they did not listen, but stiffened their neck like their fathers, who did not believe in the Lord their God.” (2 Kings 17:14)

He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:7-8)

Trust Jesus.

FYI, Read my whole series on the individual fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5

Bible verses are NASB (New American Standard Bible) 1995 edition unless otherwise stated

@ 1c9dcd8f:1852f704

It is esteemed a very wrong thing amongst the islanders to be about on November Eve, minding any business, for the fairies have their flitting then, and do not like to be seen or watched; and all the spirits come to meet them and help them. But mortal people should keep at home, or they will suffer for it; for the souls of the dead have power over all things on that one night of the year; and they hold a festival with the fairies, and drink red wine from the fairy cups, and dance to fairy music till the moon goes down.

There was a man of the village who stayed out late one November Eve fishing, and never thought of the fairies until he saw a great number of dancing lights, and a crowd of people hurrying past with baskets and bags, and all laughing and singing and making merry as they went along.

“You are a merry set,” he said, “where are ye all going to?”

“We are going to the fair,” said a little old man with a cocked hat and a gold band round it. “Come with us, Hugh King, and you will have the finest food and the finest drink you ever set eyes upon.”

“And just carry this basket for me,” said a little red-haired woman.

So Hugh took it, and went with them till they came to the fair, which was filled with a crowd of people he had never seen on the island in all his days. And they danced and laughed and drank red wine from little cups. And there were pipers, and harpers, and little cobblers mending shoes, and all the most beautiful things in the world to eat and drink, just as if they were in a king’s palace. But the basket was very heavy, and Hugh longed to drop it, that he might go and dance with a little beauty with long yellow hair, that was laughing up close to his face.

“Well, here put down the basket,” said the red-haired woman, “for you are quite tired, I see;” and she took it and opened the cover, and out came a little old man, the ugliest, most misshapen little imp that could be imagined.

“Ah, thank you, Hugh,” said the imp, quite politely; “you have carried me nicely; for I am weak on the limbs—indeed I have nothing to speak of in the way of legs: but I’ll pay you well, my fine fellow; hold out your two hands,” and the little imp poured down gold and gold and gold into them, bright golden guineas. “Now go,” said he, “and drink my health, and make yourself quite pleasant, and don’t be afraid of anything you see and hear.”

So they all left him, except the man with the cocked hat and the red sash round his waist.

“Wait here now a bit,” says he, “for Finvarra, the king, is coming, and his wife, to see the fair.”

As he spoke, the sound of a horn was heard, and up drove a coach and four white horses, and out of it stepped a grand, grave gentleman all in black and a beautiful lady with a silver veil over her face.

“Here is Finvarra himself and the queen,” said the little old man; but Hugh was ready to die of fright when Finvarra asked—

“What brought this man here?”

And the king frowned and looked so black that Hugh nearly fell to the ground with fear. Then they all laughed, and laughed so loud that everything seemed shaking and tumbling down from the laughter. And the dancers came up, and they all danced round Hugh, and tried to take his hands to make him dance with them.

“Do you know who these people are; and the men and women who are dancing round you?” asked the old man. “Look well, have you ever seen them before?”

And when Hugh looked he saw a girl that had died the year before, then another and another of his friends that he knew had died long ago; and then he saw that all the dancers, men, women, and girls, were the dead in their long, white shrouds. And he tried to escape from them, but could not, for they coiled round him, and danced and laughed and seized his arms, and tried to draw him into the dance, and their laugh seemed to pierce through his brain and kill him. And he fell down before them there, like one faint from sleep, and knew no more till he found himself next morning lying within the old stone circle by the fairy rath on the hill. Still it was all true that he had been with the fairies; no one could deny it, for his arms were all black with the touch of the hands of the dead, the time they had tried to draw him into the dance; but not one bit of all the red gold, which the little imp had given him, could he find in his pocket. Not one single golden piece; it was all gone for evermore.

And Hugh went sadly to his home, for now he knew that the spirits had mocked him and punished him, because he troubled their revels on November Eve—that one night of all the year when the dead can leave their graves and dance in the moonlight on the hill, and mortals should stay at home and never dare to look on them.

@ 6871d8df:4a9396c1

In life, we often seek guidance and inspiration from role models who embody qualities we admire. While no role model is perfect, we can isolate and learn from the traits that resonate with us. As we grow and evolve, different aspects of a particular role model may speak to us at different times, reflecting our changing values and priorities. This evolution can have a profound impact on our lives, influencing the experiences we seek and the paths we take.

For myself, the qualities I admire today are quite different from those I've admired in the past. In fact, they are entirely different than I ever imagined them to be. I've always idolized success and achievement, but my feelings about what constitutes success have shifted. Lately, I've found myself looking for inspiration for deeper truths and more robust forms of fulfillment rather than the simplistic form of monetary wealth. In my eyes, there are no better examples of this — at least in the sports world — than my two current favorite athletes: Rich Froning and Scottie Scheffler.

Having CrossFit and golf athletes at the top of my list may seem odd, but I enjoy watching the sports I participate in most. I train CrossFit almost 5-6 times a week and try to play golf 1-2 times a week. Of course, they both came to my attention because of their excellence, but that isn't what has kept my intrigue and respect.

What I find particularly impressive about Rich and Scottie is that, beyond their exceptional skills, they exhibit qualities that I deeply admire. They are both very humble and soft-spoken, though fiercely competitive. They also generally take the high road and objectively seem to be great people. They both care deeply about family and are great fathers. They are also deeply religious, often citing glorifying God as the reason for their perseverance.

Unlike Scottie, who remains humble and low-key despite being considered the best player in the world, Rich's personality shines through in his online presence. Through his YouTube channel, we get a glimpse into his life beyond the sport, and I've found myself drawing inspiration from how he balances his passions and priorities. As I've grown older, I've begun to reflect on how to apply similar principles to my life, with the most important being how he prioritizes his community.

Rich still lives where he grew up in Cookeville, Tennessee. He has a close family, a loving wife, and three adopted children. Few knew of Cookeville before Rich Froning. With a population of under 40,000, it is not a place you'd expect to be the center of a fitness movement. However, because of Rich, Cookeville has become the Mecca of CrossFit. He has built enormous gyms where athletes and fans from far and wide come for the chance to train with him or to say they have trained at his gyms. It continually pushes out the best athletes in the sport who come and train under his tutelage. This influx creates an industry of its own. He's also been able to expand into other areas he's passionate about and started those businesses right there as well.

This dedication and commitment to his hometown inspire me in a way I didn't expect. I similarly grew up in a small town in central Massachusetts but always had a different idea of my future. I never envisioned anything for me there. As I became a young adult, I couldn't imagine doing anything other than leaving and never returning. I scoffed at how there was very little to do and how no one seemed to have any ambition for anything grander. I figured that to get this "greater success," I had to leave. Rich's journey has made me second guess this entirely, as he almost makes me ashamed of abandoning the place where I spent my formative years.

But why? What is it about these actions that inspire me? It's not like Rich is preaching anything; as a matter of fact, he is very much going about his life and not imposing anything on anyone.

Reflectively, I believe it relates to something I learned from Jordan Peterson regarding how to make actual change in the world. He was always very antagonistic toward those who were depressive, disorganized, and lost in their personal lives but felt they needed to lecture others about how to solve the grander problems we face collectively as a society. He always recommended starting small and working inward before addressing these larger issues. He popularized the phrase 'clean your room,' which emphasizes personal responsibility and incremental progress. This approach starts with small, manageable tasks and builds up to larger ones, much like the concept of induction in computer science. For instance, the idea of 'cleaning your room' can be applied both literally and metaphorically. It means taking care of your personal space and life, ensuring they are organized, in order, and even beautiful. Once you feel you have control over those things, you work outward to your home, maybe a relationship, then your immediate family, then your friends, then your community, and larger till you feel you can positively impact broader society. You cannot simply skip to the last step. You grow and mature at each stage so that you have the experience and empathy to successfully facilitate change rather than be an authoritarian tyrant shouting at others what they must do.

Froning encompasses this beautifully. He has left his mark on the town and made positive changes to improve Cookeville, placing it on the tongues of people who otherwise would be completely oblivious. Something about this behavior calls to me in a profoundly spiritual way. I have no idea what Cookeville was like before Rich, but something is captivating about taking ownership, leaving your mark, and making it more beautiful for everyone. In the grand scheme, true success is measured not just by personal achievements but also by the positive impact we have on our community and loved ones. Is a man truly successful if he doesn't leave a positive mark on the places he's been?

To contrast this sentiment, I can't help but think of how I felt the last time I visited my hometown. Last year at Christmas, I drove around and was very disappointed with what I saw. I even wrote about it, explaining how I was disgusted and frustrated by how it was declining. In the piece, I asked the question, how do we turn this deterioration around? Well, I think I answered that question. It takes people giving a damn about having a positive impact on their communities, myself included. If my hometown is a dump, it is my duty to rectify that. It's empowering because it gives you agency when I felt there was no reason to have any.

As I've grown older and reflected on my values, I've realized that this evolution in my thinking results from maturity. I've begun prioritizing the long-term impact I can have on my community and the world around me. By no means am I moving back to my hometown anytime soon, but I certainly feel this newfound duty or obligation to make it a priority. Living where you can best thrive is still critical, but I must do this while also remembering where I came from and the longer-term picture that the positive change could have for future generations. Will Cookeville be a fitness center for generations to come? Maybe. But if it does, the people will always remember who put it on the map. I think the lesson there is good for everyone to ponder. We can't live exclusively on the backs of those who came before us. It is up to all of us to build on our ancestors' hard work, each working toward improving the immediate places around us. If even a tiny proportion of individuals took on this responsibility, it would likely have a significant positive impact on our communities.

My definition of success has evolved beyond mere wealth and material possessions. If I can achieve the things I want to achieve, it should be reflected in the positive change of the people and places that shaped me, improvements that can hopefully last and inspire generations. That is the best indicator of success, living breadcrumbs encapsulating the journey and how you did your small part to improve the world around you along the way.

@ df5c518b:fb1bc4a0

Last night, I received a call from a neighbor who discovered that the handle on her LoungeWagon had broken off just before she planned to leave for the beach. Not good. This seems like a well-designed product. It's a chair with wheels, but not a wheelchair. Right...? I would take it to the beach. Just be aware that certain parts of it may only be held together by a few tack welds, which may only possess the cumulative strength of a zip-tie. https://image.nostr.build/7947b209e3f87731c0e1334a148f5ffa8a6fec33028f28201c049877da2b63a6.jpg https://image.nostr.build/d1d6352964c0dc966f2ce2434926c8e7711cb8efdcc8ba33465dcb84799a57cc.jpg Even worse, the tacks were on the top section and the side section. Why?

This tubing is very, very thin. At first, I thought I'd have to run the machine at 50 amps, but that turned out to be too cold. The only thing melting at that setting was the paint, which smelled GREAT. Settling at 75 amps, I noticed that I could move the puddle along nicely, but was still spending a little more time than I'd like.

If I were to do this again, I'd set the machine at 80 amps and move more quickly, inhaling less burning paint along the way.

https://image.nostr.build/9cb36148aadfa7c5bf3c90a16da46e6b3fdad9e53af29c742ff8a598e9a5ca39.jpg https://image.nostr.build/4e0a7d968022c61e3dff42624c8fe0336c3e0f7cbbb0fcf7f2225cfae6b7d8e0.jpg https://image.nostr.build/94f3e2a97bda59aef53a50541b7b6b6a1da5dfcbeabf47096c2aba5f3f67f812.jpg https://image.nostr.build/a8a6005ddefaf2d88681e37d84512653c0d572c097a826182a9d0fb910812377.jpg

If this wagon breaks again, It'll be a different tack weld.

@ 5d1d83de:d0db5aa0

Encouraging everyone to embrace stacker news RSS feed. Using RSS has being a great way to move off of twitter and other algorithmic feeds. Create a feedbin account. Use that account on multiple devices and put the stacker news RSS feed there go get a raw feed of news and topics without any algorithmic curation. It is easy to mark posts as read later and also bookmark great content. Then pair that with pinboard.in archiving and you have great content cached forever

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/642938

@ 0d97beae:c5274a14

** takes deep breath **

Bitcoin mining is often simplified to the point where the definition is basically meaningless. I will try to explain it as simply as possible but first we need to unlearn some unhelpful things.

The goal of Bitcoin mining is NOT to earn bitcoin

If we start with the premise that the goal of mining is to earn bitcoin, it makes everything 100x harder to explain. It's a nuanced point however, miners DO mine to earn bitcoin, but in the grand scheme of things, the main goal of mining is not to create or earn bitcoin.

I like to think of Bitcoin as a complex clock or watch, there are many small moving parts all coming together to keep the system working flawlessly. Take out one small part and the whole thing might fall apart. The goal of mining is to provide "immutability" and "finality" to all the events that occur on the Bitcoin network.

Understanding the anatomy of Bitcoin

Before we can understand the purpose of Bitcoin mining, we must first understand a little about the anatomy of Bitcoin and some of the properties it must uphold to be useful.

Consider your bank account; there is a balance associated with your name, but what gives that data integrity? Usually it is the fact that the data is coming from an authoritative source, a trusted third party. If I could get a copy of the bank's database, would you trust that the same data sourced from my machine was correct? Could I have modified the records before showing it to you?

Bitcoin does not rely on any authority. This is a very important part of its design and it is what allows Bitcoin to remain independent of any company or government. To achieve this, it relies on checks and balances to be embedded within the data that it contains. Bitcoin is fully transparent in order to ensure that anyone can audit its data. The most important thing to check, of course, is that the books are balanced, but beyond that, Bitcoin introduced personal digital signatures to ensure that records are authorised by individuals directly, and it introduced an ordering system.

Digital signatures not only prove that a record was created by the owner of the bitcoin being spent, but if the record is ever altered, the signature no longer matches; this means that we don't need to trust anyone to execute our requests faithfully.

Order is important to ensure that everybody can agree with which payments are valid and which are not. Imagine I write two identical cheques to give all of my bank balance to two different people. One will settle, the other will bounce. With a traditional bank, one banker will decide which came first and will decide which settles and which bounces. In a decentralised (not centralised) system like Bitcoin, we need to be able to introduce a robust and reliable ordering system that does not rely on a trusted authority. Beyond just ordering, there also needs to be some integrity to the data so that not only an order can be agreed upon, but also there can be no re-ordering. Determining an order without preventing re-ordering is basically useless.

Ordering records

You may have heard of the "blockchain". This technology is just a data format, but Bitcoin uses this technology to help lock in an order into the record system. In a blockchain, records are grouped into blocks, and each block must have a link back to its previous block, creating a chain of blocks; pretty self explanatory in hindsight.

Imagine somebody deciding to become part of the Bitcoin network, they wish to get a copy of all the bitcoin records, but there is a problem:

1. One person shows a series of records that fully balances, has all the other checks and balances, and it shows a payment from me to you.
2. Another person provides a similar series of records that also fully balances but it does not show that payment from me to you, it shows a payment from me to me in its place.

Which one is correct? Both pass all checks, but if I choose the first set of records, then the payment from me to me becomes invalid because it attempts to spend money that has already been spent, while if I take the second set of records, the inverse becomes true.

The blockchain allows us to declare an order, but we still need a way to lock that order in, such that if someone provides an alternative set of records with a different order of events, we can all use some robust and reliable set of rules to choose the same record set without needing to coordinate with one another or rely on some trusted authoritative source.

This solution also needs to be resistant to being gamed; one elephant in the room is the idea of relying on dates and times, but computers are terrible at agreeing on time and although data can travel at the speed of electrons, there are still bottlenecks that can lead to data arriving in a different order between different computers.

Using a game of chance to prevent changes

The most fair way to make an arbitrary decision such as this, where there is no real right or wrong answer (remember "date sent" can be gamed, so we can't base any decisions on that), but a decision still needs to be made is by introducing something that is statistically hard to undo.

You may know the game of Boggle. This is a game where you have a set of dice inside a tray with letters on the sides instead of numbers; you place a box cover over it, shake it, and then allow the dice to fall into a mould at the bottom so that they are all sitting alongside each other in a square formation (usually 4x4) with one letter facing up per die. Let's re-imagine that the goal of the game was simply to shake the box, align the dice and remove the cover and if there was a 4 letter word on each row, you win, and if not you must shake again.

This is analogous to Bitcoin mining. It is a pure game of chance, and if we had a bunch of them, we could turn the game into a race: who can create the longest chain of winning boggle shakes in a row!

To illustrate how the blockchain creates links between blocks, we can add an additional rule that the first die in a Boggle tray (we will call them blocks going forward) must match the last die in the previous block. This way, we know that the order of blocks cannot change as the link is being built up.

Here is an illustration of a chain from this game:

Finally, let's make it more interesting: the goal is to have as many blocks as you can on the longest chain. If you notice that someone else has a pretty long chain, you can abandon your own and start to build blocks for their chain instead. If you create a block that satisfies the rules and your first letter matches the last letter of their last block, your block can go on top.

We will start to notice the following things:

1. People will quite quickly start to abandon their own chains and work on top of one faster growing chain.
2. The chain with the most people working on it will naturally grow at a faster pace.
3. Those competing too hard to maximise the number of blocks they have in a chain will see their chain fall behind the fastest growing chain.
4. It takes a non-negligable time between rounds and usually one person wins at a time, there are rarely any moments where two people create a valid block for the same chain within moments of one another.

Using forks to change history

It gets interesting when someone notices something like an offensive word in the chain, let's call it "DUCK". A lot of people don't care, but a large group of individuals do, so they choose to "fix" the rules, making that block and all the blocks after it invalid too (because they all eventually link back to the invalid block).

They create a new block that continues off from the block before the offensive one, creating what we call a "fork". This new chain will inherit the same past as the original chain, but it will still be shorter than the original chain because during the time it took to create this alternative block to replace the offensive one, the rest of the players continued to build blocks on the original chain as normal.

Since this game is mostly based on chance, the chain that grows the fastest will be the one that has the most players contributing to it. Even if the smaller group appears faster for some time, over a long enough time, statistics will prevail; it is the same as how over enough coin flips, we will observe that there really is a 50/50 chance of heads over tails, even if the first few flips were mostly all heads.

If enough players are motivated to contribute to the shorter, profanity-free chain, then that chain will grow faster and eventually become, and remain, the longest chain. The other indifferent players will then jump ship and join the new longest chain in order to maximise the number of their blocks in the new longest and faster growing chain.

Fortunately, the more likely scenario is that the offended group is a minority and the original chain remains the longest and fastest growing chain. This natural phenomenon ensures that the history of events cannot easily be changed for simply arbitrary reasons. On a global scale, this phenomenon is ever more present, because not even laws, politics, nor what is considered moral can be agreed across the world.

Cheating

In a game like the one above, there are opportunities to cheat. Maybe you could choose not to shake your box, but place the dice by hand. Unless someone is constantly watching you, no one would ever know.

With Bitcoin mining, there are simply no such shortcuts. The fastest and cheapest way to produce a block is to play fairly. Let's dive into what Bitcoin mining really is.

What exactly is Bitcoin mining?

People often use analogies to describe mining; "it's like a lottery", "miners solve complex mathematical problems", "miners guess random numbers". The problem with analogies are that they tend to omit key details that ultimately mislead the reader.

Miners perform a series of tasks repetitively, simplified:

1. Collect the records that users create and compose them into a file.
2. Add a reference to the previous block.
3. Add a random number to the end.
4. Check if the file satisfies a certain special criteria.
5. If not, replace the random number with a new random number and repeat from step 3.

To check if a file satisfies our special criteria, we pass the file through a special program called "SHA256" and the program reveals a large unpredictable unique number. We check to see if that number is below a pre-determined target and if so, it has satisfied the criteria (i.e. given SHA256(FILE1) = 123 and TARGET = 20, is 123 < 20?).

SHA256 is a known as a mathematical "hash function". Although its output is unpredictable, it is also "deterministic", which means that given the same input file, it will always produce the same number. It is unpredictable because given the same file with even a small change will produce a completely different number altogether. We use these type of algorithms to give our files identifiers that make them resistant to tampering; it is very useful when downloading from torrents, where files can be downloaded in parallel, from multiple places, be reconstructed, and the file is only accepted if it resolves to the same identifier, ensuring that you get exactly what you asked for.

These files containing records are traditionally called "blocks", and once an acceptable block has been produced (aka mined), it is shared with all the online Bitcoin nodes and we all move on to mining the next block. As we observed before, attempting to ignore the latest mined block is counterproductive and would result in a fork and put you on a path of creating blocks for a new chain that no one would care about and that everyone would simply discard as invalid data.

As you can imagine, this process is very repetitive. One round is hardly power intensive, but the chances of success are so low, that it takes many cycles to find a successful block. The process of mining is very power intensive due to the nature of the process being a repetitive process with a low chance of success.

The incentives

Many people who focus on the "number guessing" and "repetitive nature" side of things tend to consider this process to be pretty arbitrary, however this repetitive chance-based system is key to ensure that it cannot be cheated. As we have discussed, it introduces order, and solidifies it to bring robustness and reliability to Bitcoin.

This process also incurs a cost. Computers draw electrical power to perform their operations, and when people are competing with one another, this power draw becomes non-negligible very quickly.

Miners do earn bitcoin when they mine. As they create blocks, they include an entry allocating bitcoin to themselves. This is their incentive to add the most number of blocks to the chain, as the more blocks they add, the more bitcoin they can earn.

The amount that a miner can allocate to themselves is based on two things:

1. Transaction fees (aka fee market): users can see what transactions are waiting to be mined, what fees they are offering, and can offer a competitive fee to get their transactions prioritised. Miners will often pick the transactions that offer the highest fees to include into their blocks; this ensures that they are earning the most amount of Bitcoin that they have available to them at all times.
2. Block reward: Every block can issue a fixed amount of new bitcoin which the miner can allocate to themselves. Around every four years, the amount of new bitcoin that can be issued is reduced in a controlled manner, and in the year 2140, there will be no more bitcoin left to issue, meaning that miners will need to remain profitable using transaction fees alone.

The block reward satisfies two purposes:

1. Bitcoin must be distributed fairly; there are no licenses or authority based limitations that restrict who can mine bitcoin. Anyone with access to energy, a computer and internet can participate, and therefore new bitcoin can land in the hands of almost absolutely anyone around the world, based purely on fair chance.
2. People must be incentivised to participate in the running of the Bitcoin network, Bitcoin is nothing without a diverse and distributed mass of people running it. Early adopters earn more, while as we get closer to the year 2140, we expect that a critical mass of people will rely on Bitcoin and a plethora of tools, technologies and infrastructure have been built to support it.

These incentives are why people think the goal of mining is to produce more Bitcoin. While for a miner, the main goal is to earn bitcoin, for the system as a whole, mining serves a very different, important and distinct role and the rewards are there merely to ensure people are motivated to do it.

The difficulty adjustment

To get a complete view of Bitcoin mining, the "difficulty adjustment" feature of Bitcoin addresses the elephant in the room: as more people compete to mine bitcoin, wouldn't blocks get produced more quickly?

Bitcoin blocks are produced every 10 minutes on average. Every 2 weeks, or more precisely, every 2016 blocks, a "difficulty target" is redetermined based on the historical production rate of the previous 2016 blocks. All the participants who help to run the Bitcoin network are able to follow this well defined rule automatically on their own computers and will come to the exact same result.

The difficulty target is a way to change the odds of the chance based game, such that we can maintain the average of 10 minutes per solve. Doing this on a regular basis, ensures that even if more miners enter, or if the hardware becomes more efficient, or if they get access to even more energy and computing power, or even if many miners exit, the network can adjust itself and ensure that the network runs smoothly and at a constant pace.

There are also many extra rules that ensure that even this part of the system cannot be gamed. Many developers, mathematicians and philosophers have evaluated Bitcoin deeply and have not found ways to easily game the system.

The 10 minute pace of the system is important for a number of reasons:

1. The issuance of new bitcoin as a reward should not happen too quickly; people need time to discover and adopt bitcoin in order to ensure that bitcoin can be distributed as fairly as possible.
2. Chance is unpredictable and there are cases where multiple miners do find blocks within moments of one another, and this creates forks in the system. The chances of this happening consecutively is rare, and this allows the network to very quickly settle on a single chain and continue operating without issue. Reducing the 10 minute average interval would amplify this situation, causing problems with the smooth running of the network.
3. Considering that blocks can be up to 4mb in size, 10 minutes is ample time for it to be distributed to all bitcoin computers across the world wide web, even over slow network infrastructure and old hardware. 10 minute block times ensure that all computers can remain up to date and not be left eternally catching up as more blocks are being produced faster than their computers can download and validate.

With the difficulty property, the Bitcoin network can grow at a constant pace, and yet everyone can still tell which chain has had the most effort contributed towards it. When a computer comes across two chains, two versions of history, it does not look to find the "longest" chain, but it looks for the one that has the solved for the most amount of difficulty. The result is the same, the chain of data that is considered official is the one that has the most amount of man and electrical power behind it.

@ 1c9dcd8f:1852f704

A young girl from Innis-Sark had a lover, a fine young fellow, who met his death by an accident, to her great grief and sorrow.

One evening at sunset, as she sat by the roadside crying her eyes out, a beautiful lady came by all in white, and tapped her on the cheek.

“Don’t cry, Kathleen,” she said, “your lover is safe. Just take this ring of herbs and look through it and you will see him. He is with a grand company, and wears a golden circlet on his head and a scarlet sash round his waist.”

So Kathleen took the ring of herbs and looked through it, and there indeed was her lover in the midst of a great company dancing on the hill; and he was very pale, but handsomer than ever, with the gold circlet round his head, as if they had made him a prince.

“Now,” said the lady, “here is a larger ring of herbs. Take it, and whenever you want to see your lover, pluck a leaf from it and burn it; and a great smoke will arise, and you will fall into a trance; and in the trance your lover will carry you away to the fairy rath, and there you may dance all night with him on the greensward. But say no prayer, and make no sign of the cross while the smoke is rising, or your lover will disappear for ever.”

From that time a great change came over Kathleen. She said no prayer, and cared for no priest, and never made the sign of the cross, but every night shut herself up in her room, and burned a leaf of the ring of herbs as she had been told; and when the smoke arose she fell into a deep sleep and knew no more. But in the morning she told her people that, though she seemed to be lying in her bed, she was far away with the fairies on the hill dancing with her lover. And she was very happy in her new life, and wanted no priest nor prayer nor mass any more, and all the dead were there dancing with the rest, all the people she had known; and they welcomed her and gave her wine to drink in little crystal cups, and told her she must soon come and stay with them and with her lover for evermore.

Now Kathleen’s mother was a good, honest, religious woman, and she fretted much over her daughter’s strange state, for she knew the girl had been fairy-struck. So she determined to watch; and one night when Kathleen went to her bed as usual all alone by herself in the room, for she would allow no one to be with her, the mother crept up and looked through a chink in the door, and then she saw Kathleen take the round ring of herbs from a secret place in the press and pluck a leaf from it and burn it, on which a great smoke arose and the girl fell on her bed in a deep trance.

Now the mother could no longer keep silence, for she saw there was devil’s work in it; and she fell on her knees and prayed aloud—

“O Maia, mother, send the evil spirit away from the child!”

And she rushed into the room and made the sign of the cross over the sleeping girl, when immediately Kathleen started up and screamed—

“Mother! mother! the dead are coming for me. They are here! they are here!”

And her features looked like one in a fit. Then the poor mother sent for the priest, who came at once, and threw holy water on the girl, and said prayers over her; and he took the ring of herbs that lay beside her and cursed it for evermore, and instantly it fell to powder and lay like grey ashes on the floor. After this Kathleen grew calmer, and the evil spirit seemed to have left her, but she was too weak to move or to speak, or to utter a prayer, and before the clock struck twelve that night she lay dead.

@ c8383d81:f9139549

Test Completed

:Lighningbutton{lud16=cypher@npub.cash}

@ dbc828cc:ed78a663

Drugs since the lens of habitus

present

Good day everyone. Thanks for coming to this mesh talk. Before start I want to give special love to the Meshtadel, not only for having me grab this opportunity to share some of the experience I have about life, but also for being that digital place that resonates at the in-real-life place.

intro

Having said that, my professional experience is about places, to be more precise, the experience of places. Architecture, you see, is not only about if a building is pretty or if it is functional; it is about living places, that is, to inhabit. Here is where my trench of expertise might be colliding with those of psychology and physiology; granted by the favors of philosophy. Saying it like this, the "adversary" I want to bring attention this day to you is the one named as "addiction".

The middle ground I would like to propose for this talk are founded on-and-by the terms of perception; granted that, "term" and "perception", each, can be criticized by their own merits, however the idea I want to expose this day to you is that the "terms of perception" can be considered as the signature of drugs. In other words, drugs have the ability to drive perception; in architecture, for example, could be said that experience is driven by our walk through the arrangement of the building, —namely the structure, furniture and ornament—, the very definition of a drug in architecture lies thus in the objects, as well as in the use we humans make of them.

The object, and the experience of the object thus con-forms perception. Habitus is the particular way each individual arranges it's own terms of perception. Or to put it over a fashion apart, habitus can be understood alike traditions, culture, or rituals. Thus, a natural question surges towards the whereabouts of the origins of these habits.

Now then, here is precisely where we can draw a first line that describes the form of an addiction. Simply put, an addiction is an habit that went wrong. Or to say it otherwise, it is an habit that is detrimental to human existence by the terms of the healthiness of both, the body and the mind.

With these sentences I would like then to advance to the discussion or mezzanine of the talk.

mid

If there could ever be a common law for perception, I would like to lie it, —for this occasion at least—, with the following sentence: perception lets itself be the pray of the living experience. This means that, —in a healthy condition—, the identification of the state of awareness can be exercised, or saying it like this, a recognition can be drawn between a "natural" and a "distorted" state awareness. Precisely, it could be said that this late is the very definition of an addiction, that is, the placement of oneself in state of distortion.

The handshake of a drug usually is also the first time for an individual to notice that there's a "perception apart" than the one experienced all along the time of being alive. Taking a personal example for consideration, the years of college, —or well discussed, the years of social interaction—, usually are also the years where the coincidence with drugs happen. I mention this precisely to have in mind the importance of context, and even so for the little coincidences, if one like it to have it like that.

To describe the conventional definition of an habit that went wrong, imaging the following sentences: "Where precisely the drug is injected?, well it depends of the desired effect..."

To offer an alternative for an habit that "works OK", I will dare to say that a good habit is that one that you don't notice. It is there, that say, it exists; it can be at the sight of others, but at the same time can be out of the mere recognition of one. Here precisely is where the terms of habit coincides with ideas of the terms of character, —namely style, temperament, or likelihood— of a person. The habit and the person justifies each other at all moment for the sake of reach an agreement of terms.

To offer an example, a person that commutes everyday to his workplace might likely reach a point where it does it "by default", without ever noticing or thinking about it. Later, by whatever reason, a deviation of the usual commute happens, either a shortcut, a better skilled chauffeur, or getting distracted by the infatuation of a pretty smile. The habitus takes a new reform, even if momentarily just to disrupt the usual. Sometimes it can be of good outcomes, some other times maybe not so much.

This may be the opportunity then to lead to the description of the capitulation of an habit, simply put: it can hardly be appreciated or taken nor even with two grains of salt. In other words, to try measure the start and the end of an habit might very well be as to try playing speculation. Needless to say that every drug has his trade offs, not so obvious often is that the worst outcome can strike as disruptive as a thunder to life experience.

But what does that mean in layman terms?. What I try to tell you here, meshtadelian, is that a drug is a thing as well as an idea, and even more than that, it is always a mix of both the thing and the idea.

You see, when knowing people one might get to see their character not only by their wearings but also by their behavior, that is, the things they do and how they do it, in the same sense a person likes to consume cannabis either by edibles or by cigarettes, an architect can decides, —following the wishes of the inhabitants at best—, to use traditional style or modern style of buildings. The problem often becomes evident when the character gets out of place, when the people doesn't match what at is also seen by others.

Does this mean that there's no way out of an addiction? The answer at least, can not be located at the terms of the addiction itself. To elaborate, a person that looks so hard to stop "doing a drug" might soon or later find that the effort can become as important as the drug itself, that being, as if the addiction gets displaced from a drug to another.

By this terms sobriety is hard to define. The simply usual would be that sobriety is the "default settings" of perception. But also by the terms of aesthetics, —taking help of professor Adorno here—, "a lack of style becomes and style itself".

Hoping to having ignited a spark of good will. I would like to go then to the closure of this lecture. I would like to offer a paragraph to the discussion that is held between psychology and physiology towards the definition and treatment of addictions.

closure

At first, I would like to express that drug are not only the prescribed ones, the natural that growths from soil; as well as drugs is not only that miracle that brings health, as much as I can say for the sing of a mother can heal a son. It is the combination of both; the whole plot is for people to be experienced and an emphasis should be put on the fact that a person can choice the terms of how the plot is arranged.

In other words, I want to bring the idea that we might be having to pay attention to the possibility that an addiction, —or a disease daring to say so—, not only ca be treated with that or that drug. It also matters the place the person's individuality, in which nonetheless, places are also involved.

Finally. I would like to offer you an experience of a dear friend that struggled to stop smoking tobacco but so far has accomplished twenty years more or so of not smoking. He made a bet. He and a friend of his bet to stop smoking. I can not enter in the details of their relationship but I dare to assume is one that has a mix of friendship and rivalry. The trick, if you like to name it, is that the bet can not really have a settle until... yes, it has a morbid sense... someone capitulates. For now I'd lead to tanatology to deal with the terms of how one does face capitulation. However I would like to remind you that as long as there is live, as long as there could be choices.

Thanks now, I have to go fix my own dankruptness.

@ 6c2d68ba:846525ec

Will man der Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung glauben, so handelt es sich bei Propaganda um den Versuch der gezielten Beeinflussung des Denkens, Handelns wie auch Fühlens von Menschen. Charakteristisch für Propaganda ist, dass sie darauf verzichtet die verschiedenen Seiten einer Thematik darzulegen, sondern gezielt Meinung mit (Fehl)-Information vermischt. Wer Propaganda betreibt, strebt nicht danach zu diskutieren oder die Öffentlichkeit gar mit Argumenten zu überzeugen, sondern greift zu verschiedensten Manipulationstechniken, die die Emotionen und das Verhalten der Öffentlichkeit beeinflussen. Propaganda nimmt dem Menschen (eigenständiges) Denken ab und gibt ihm stattdessen das Gefühl, mit der übernommenen Meinung goldrichtig zu liegen. Hier zeigt sich auch der wesentliche Unterschied zum Journalismus: Journalismus strebt nach Aufklärung, indem alle verfügbaren Fakten und Hintergründe dargelegt werden und der Empfänger selbst darüber entscheiden darf, was er für richtig und was er für falsch hält [1].

Zwar verbinden wir den Begriff Propaganda heutzutage mit autoritären und totalitären Staaten, wo diese auch zweifelsfrei Anwendung findet, doch kommen Propagandatechniken auch im Westen zum Einsatz, wenn auch in einer auf die demokratische Herrschaftsform zugeschnittene Art und Weise. Wie die Geschichte gezeigt hat - hier sind die Werke von Edward Bernays ganz besonders relevant [2] - wurde Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, sprich Public Relations (PR), basierend auf den Erkenntnissen der Propagandaforschung verfeinert, über welche die öffentliche Wahrnehmung von Personen, Konzernen und Regierungen beeinflusst wird. In Summe lässt sich daraus ableiten, dass auch Propaganda in unseren Breitengraden Tradition hat.

Nun halte ich es in Zeiten von (leider) wiederkehrenden heißen Konflikten in Europa besonders wichtig sich über existierende Manipulationstechniken wie auch gezielter Meinungsmache in (Massen)-medien bewusst zu sein wie auch erscheinenden Artikeln, Posts, Videos und ganz besonders Schlagzeilen mit einem gewissen Grad an Achtsamkeit zu begegnen, um nicht umgehend Opfer von Manipulation zu werden. Denn wie schon von der bereits erwähnten Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung erwähnt wurde, kann nur jener sich gegen den Einfluss von Propaganda wehren, der diese als solche erkennt. Dadurch motiviert nehme ich heute die Prinzipien der Kriegspropaganda ins Fadenkreuz.

„Auf die Dauer vermag auch die frechste und bestorganisierte Propaganda nichts gegen die Wahrheit.“ ―Albert Schweitzer

Die Prinzipien der Kriegspropaganda

Unter dem Eindruck des Ersten Weltkriegs schrieb Arthur Ponsonby, britischer Adeliger & Staatsbeamter, 1928 das Buch "Lüge in Kriegszeiten", in welchem er die Mechanismen der damaligen Kriegspropaganda untersuchte. Er steht übrigens im Verdacht Urvater des berühmten Zitats "das erste Opfer im Krieg ist die Wahrheit" zu sein [3]. In diesem Werk schildert Ponsonby 20 Aspekte, die wiederum später von der Historikerin Anne Morelli im Jahr 2001 zu den zehn Prinzipien der Kriegspropaganda zusammengefasst wurden. Wie sie selbst betonte geht es bei diesen Prinzipien nicht darum herauszufinden, wer lügt und wer die Wahrheit sagt, wer das glaubt, was er sagt, sondern Mittels dieser Prinzipien die verbreitete Propaganda zu veranschaulichen und ihr Funktionieren zu beschreiben (Seite 6, [4]). Nachdem ich mich selbst mit diesen Prinzipien beschäftigt hatte, wurde mir mit jeder einzelnen Gedankenrunde immer klarer, wie die von Anne Morelli beschriebenen Prinzipien als wie eine Art Leitfaden verwendet werden, um Pressemeldungen, Argumente und Schlagzeilen in Sozialen Medien so zu formulieren, dass unabhängig vom Geschehnis stets eine unterbewusste Botschaft mitschwingt, so dass der gewünschte Effekt der Manipulation maximiert wird.

Nun könnte man nach Durchsicht der größten Tagesblätter des Deutschsprachigen Raums etliche Beispiele für jeden einzelnen der in Kürze vorgestellten Prinzipien präsentieren, doch habe ich in Anbetracht des Themas bewusst Abstand davon genommen, um nicht gewisse Journalisten - oder kriegstreibende Propagandisten wie ich sie nenne - samt Klarnamen an den Pranger zu stellen. Wie Anne Morelli, sehe ich den größtmöglichen Mehrwert darin, die Mechanik offenzulegen, um die Leserschaft für dieses Thema zu sensibilisieren.

Wir wollen keinen Krieg!

Stets wird versichert, dass man den stattfindenden Krieg keines Falles wolle. In einer demokratischen Gesellschaft ist Krieg ein ungebetener Gast, weswegen Bevölkerungen fast ausnahmslos jedes Mal in die Kriegsbereitschaft hineingelockt werden müssen, siehe Brutkastenlüge im Zusammenhang mit dem Irakkrieg. Nun kann man sehr oft beobachten, wie Staatsführer stets in aller Inbrunst gegen den aktuellen oder einen eventuell bevorstehenden Krieg poltern. Wenn jedoch alle Personen an den entscheidenden Machthebeln so sehr gegen Kriege sind, wie können Kriege dann überhaupt ausbrechen?

Der Gegner ist allein für den Krieg verantwortlich!

Der zugrundeliegenden Logik nach zeigt jeweils die eine Kriegspartei auf die andere und schiebt dabei die Schuld für den stattfindenden Krieg der anderen Seite zu. Selbst hat man natürlich keine provozierenden Schritte gesetzt, wie etwa das Stationieren von Raketensystemen, das Verschieben von Machtblöcken oder Ähnliches. Statt zum Mittel der Diplomatie zu greifen muss der Konflikt jetzt weiter angeheizt und der Krieg fortgeführt werden, denn schließlich muss dieser Krieg jetzt geführt werden, damit (ewiger) Frieden herrschen kann - siehe "Krieg ist Frieden" nach George Orwell. Darüber hinaus kann der Konflikt auch deshalb nicht beendet werden, weil der Feind sonst "unsere Werte" zerstört, "uns" die Freiheit nimmt oder gar ein Genozid "an unserem Volk" stattfindet.

Der Führer des feindlichen Lagers wird dämonisiert

Dieses Prinzip folgt der Logik des Reduzierens eines ganzen Landes auf eine an der Spitze sitzenden Person, also dem Zuschneiden auf Putin, Obama, Scholz, etc. Diese Person repräsentiert quasi einen fleischgewordenen Dämon, der die Macht über das Feindesland errungen hat und nun in Abwesenheit von geistiger Gesundheit einen Konflikt vom Zaun bricht. Morelli argumentiert dazu: "Man kann eine Gruppe von Menschen nicht insgesamt hassen, nicht einmal als Feinde. Es ist daher wirkungsvoller, den Hass auf die feindliche Führungspersönlichkeit zu richten. Der Gegner bekommt so ein Gesicht und dieses Gesicht wird natürlich Gegenstand des Hasses werden."

Wir verteidigen ein edles Ziel und keine besonderen Interessen!

Der Fokus auf moralische und legitime Werte spielt diesem Prinzip nach deshalb eine besondere Rolle, weil es dazu dient die wirtschaftlichen und geopolitischen Ziele der eignen Seite zu verdecken, was auf das Stärken der Zustimmung der eigenen Bevölkerung schielt, da der Konflikt zu einem gewissen Grad nur durch Zustimmung eben dieser Bevölkerung geführt werden kann. So hatte Antonio Gramsci dargelegt wie sich die Ziele des Ersten Weltkriegs in drei Punkte zusammenfassen lassen: den Militarismus zu vernichten, die kleinen Staaten (wie etwa Belgien) zu verteidigen und die Welt für "die Demokratie" vorzubereiten. Letzteres Argument fand sich auch in den Konflikten des aktuellen Jahrhunderts in ähnlicher Form als "Spreading Democracy" oder "Befreiung des Iraks" wieder. Ergänzend könnte man zu diesem Prinzip sagen, dass ein Unterton von "der Feind ist ein blutrünstiges Monster aus einer barbarischen Gesellschaft" mitschwingt.

Der Feind begeht wissentlich Grausamkeiten, wenn wir Fehler machen, geschieht dies unbeabsichtigt

Erzählungen über Gräueltaten des Feindes stellen ein wesentliches Element von Kriegspropaganda dar. Zwar sind Grausamkeiten zweifelsohne integraler Bestandteil eines jeden Krieges, und das auf beiden Seiten, jedoch ist die gegensätzliche Darstellung der eigenen "humanitären" Armee, die selbstverständlich von der Bevölkerung geliebt wird, und der feindlichen Armee, die als einzige Kriegspartei Grausamkeiten begeht, altbekannte Propaganda. Üblicherweise begnügt man sich nicht mit den tatsächlich auftretenden Verbrechen, im Gegenteil, man kann in vergangenen Konflikten wiederholt beobachten wie Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit am Schreibtisch erfunden werden, um den Feind als die Wiederkehr Adolf Hitlers erscheinen zu lassen.

Der Feind benutzt unerlaubte Waffen

In gewisser Weise ergänzt dieses Prinzip das vorangegangene und das nämlich um den Aspekt den Krieg selbst auf ritterliche Art und Weise zu führen, als wäre Krieg ein vollends definiertes Brettspiel, während der Feind geächtete Waffen einsetzt - zu jenen man selbst natürlich niemals greifen würde. Die Geschichte zeigt, dass hier oft der Gegenseite vorgeworfen wird, was die eigene Armee-(führung) bereits lange vorbereitet oder gar eingesetzt hat. Ein älteres Beispiel wäre die Verwendung von Giftgas im Ersten Weltkrieg, während Streumunition wie auch mit Uran angereicherte Munition ein trauriges Kapitel der vergangenen Monate ist.

Wir erleiden geringe Verluste, die Verluste des Feindes sind erheblich

Zitat aus dem Buch von Morelli: "Von seltenen Ausnahmen abgesehen, schließen Menschen sich eher den siegreichen Anliegen an. Im Falle des Krieges hängt die Präferenz der öffentlichen Meinung sehr stark von den augenscheinlichen Ergebnissen des Konflikts ab. Wenn die Ergebnisse nicht gut sind, muss die Propaganda unsere Verluste verschleiern und die des Feindes übertreiben."

Anerkannte Kulturträger und Wissenschafter unterstützen unser Anliegen

Ein unterschätztes Mittel der Propaganda ist das Einbeziehen von Personen des öffentlichen Lebens, favorisiert jene zu denen möglichst große Teile der Bevölkerung ein Vertrauensverhältnis entwickelt haben oder Personen mit einer gewissen "moralischen Autorität", wie etwa geistliche Führer. Darüber hinaus ließen sich in der Vergangenheit - wie auch heute - Künstler und Medienschaffende dazu instrumentalisieren Filme, Dokumentationen und Karikaturen über den Feind zu erstellen wie auch zu verbreiten. Man rufe sich in Erinnerung, dass man nicht ohne Grund von der Heimatfront spricht. In einer halbwegs von Demokratie geprägten Gesellschaft entscheidet das Wahlvolk wie lange ein Konflikt noch geführt werden kann bzw. wie stabil die kriegsführende Regierung im Sattel sitzt.

Unser Anliegen hat etwas Heiliges

Dieses Prinzip mag bei erster Betrachtung an die Kreuzzüge erinnern, bei jenen "der Wille Gottes" in gewisser Weise im Mittelpunkt stand. Ein in meinen Augen wichtiges Element bei diesem Aspekt ist die versteckte Nachricht des Kampfes Gut gegen Böse. Wir, die Guten, kämpfen gegen das Böse, den Feind, und treiben diesen Konflikt nun gewaltsam voran, um die Welt von dem Bösen zu befreien, die Welt also einer Heilung zu unterziehen. Neben dem religiös angehauchten Argument scheint dieses Propagandaprinzip um das Schlagwort "Demokratie" bereichert geworden zu sein. Wie in meinen Augen zurecht aufgezeigt wird, sprach auch George Bush von der "Achse des Bösen" wie auch der Pflicht dem Irak Demokratie zu bringen, also ein Gut, dass gottesgleiche Züge zu haben scheint. Sprachliche Ausschmückungen wie "Gott ist mit uns" tun in Botschaften, die sich nach diesem Prinzip richten, ihr übriges.

Wer unsere Propaganda in Zweifel zieht, arbeitet für den Feind und ist damit ein Verräter

Das zehnte und somit letzte Prinzip kann mit den vorangegangenen Prinzipien kombiniert werden. In manchen Situationen dient dieses Prinzip jedoch auch als Leitmotiv im Umgang mit kritischen Stimmen aus der Heimatfront. Wer auch immer Meldungen, Schlagzeilen oder gar Argumente infrage stellt, ist automatisch ein Kollaborateur des Feindes. Anhand dieser polarisierten Betrachtungsweise des "entweder bist du für uns oder gegen uns" muss umgehend Farbe bekannt werden. Durch diese Eliminierung einer abgewogenen Betrachtung von komplexen Ereignissen wird es also unmöglich gemacht, eine abweichende Meinung zu entwickeln, ohne einen regelrechten Lynchprozess am Hals zu haben. Man könnte dies auch als das Ende des Meinungspluralismus interpretieren, wo jegliche Opposition zum Schweigen verurteilt wird und zur Not diffamiert wie auch diskriminiert wird.

(Weitere) Methoden der Kriegspropaganda

Wie in [6] präsentiert, können Propagandisten auf eine erstaunlich große Bandbreite von Manipulationsmethoden zurückgreifen. In meinen Augen lohnt sich ein kurzer Blick darauf. Ein wesentlicher Punkt, den es meiner Meinung nach zu beachten gilt, ist die Tatsache, dass mit dem gezielten Einsatz von (Kriegs)-Propaganda meist lange vor dem ersten Schusswechsel begonnen wird und auch nach Beendigung des Konfliktes Propaganda einen wichtigen Teil der militärischen Strategie darstellt.

Die Rolle von Angst

Das Zeichnen eines immanenten Bedrohungsszenarios, welches besonders über die emotionale Schiene wahrgenommen wird, stimmt Menschen am ehesten um die Notwendigkeit eines Militäreinsatzes zu befürworten. Dabei spielt es meiner Ansicht nach gar keine so große Rolle, ob diese Bedrohung real existiert oder nicht, ausschlaggebend ist die gefühlte Wahrnehmung der Bevölkerung. Bestehende oder induzierte Angst lassen sich durch geschicktes Beeinflussen schnell in Wut wandeln und am Ende des Prozesses in einen flammenden Hass auf den vermeintlichen Feind. Aus diesem Grund wird oft ein Zustand der permanent gefühlten Bedrohung geschaffen, sodass in den Köpfen eine gefühlte Gefahr für Laib und Leben so oft wie möglich präsent ist. Dieser Prozess wird durch ständiges Wiederholen der Botschaft verstärkt, bis es sich tief im Unterbewusstsein der Bevölkerung eingenistet hat.

Zensur

Zensur - das gezielte Unterdrücken oder Weglassen von Informationen zu einem Sachverhalt, ist schon lange fixer Bestandteil von Propaganda. Bestimmte Sichtweisen können in der Abwesenheit von Gegenargumenten oder gar Gegenbeweisen besonders gut verfestigt werden. Hierzu genügt es aus Sicht des Staatsapparats nicht nur Beiträge zu löschen oder Meinungen zu unterdrücken, nein, damit dies möglich ist, muss flächendeckende wie auch umfängliche Überwachung stattfinden, damit in den Augen des Unterdrückers problematische Informationen schnellstmöglich aus dem Verkehr gezogen werden können.

Von Zensur betroffen sind Druckerzeugnisse wie etwa Zeitungen und Bücher, aber auch Ton und Bildproduktionen. Auf digitaler Ebene können Webseiten, Blogs, Content Creatoren oder gar ganze Online Communities hiervon betroffen sein. Im Kontext eines Krieges ist es für die heimische Konfliktpartei von enormer Bedeutung Zensur anzuwenden, um dem Feind keinerlei geheime Informationen zukommen zu lassen - zum Beispiel über Waffen, Truppenbewegungen oder geplante Manöver der eigenen Einheiten. Ein weiteres Anliegen geht in die Richtung wie der Krieg in der Öffentlichkeit dargestellt wird. So kann ohne Anwendung von Zensur das Vertrauen in die Politik schwinden und somit schlussendlich die Zustimmung zum Fortführen der kriegerischen Handlungen schwinden. Dies kann beispielsweise passieren, sobald die Bevölkerung von Niederlagen, Fehlschlägen, dem von der eigenen Armee ausgelösten Leid oder gar Kriegsverbrechen der eigenen Reihen Wind bekommt. Daher ist es im Interesse des Zensors solche Informationen geheim zu halten. Während die direkte Zensur in der westlichen Welt weitestgehend abgeschafft wurde, findet indirekte Zensur nach wie vor Anwendung. Hierbei ist die Zugangskontrolle zu bestimmten Informationen gemeint. Es existieren quasi Torwächter, die darüber entscheiden welcher Journalist welche Informationen gefüttert bekommt. Darüber hinaus können Informationen - etwa über bestimmte Kriegsverbrechen - bewusst vorenthalten werden oder Journalisten dürfen bestimmte Orte erst gar nicht betreten. Somit bleibt vielen Journalisten wie auch Berichterstattern oft nichts anderes übrig, als die Meldungen der Militärführung zu übernehmen.

Eine dritte Form von Zensur, die in meinen Augen oftmals gar nicht erst bedacht wird, ist die Selbstzensur von Berichterstattern. Obwohl es in vielen Fällen keine politischen oder militärischen Zensurvorschriften gibt, unterschlagen Berichterstatter bestimmte Informationen. Erklärungen hierfür können Motivationen wirtschaftlicher Natur eines Mediums, direkte Bestechung oder Begünstigung sein. Nicht zu unterschätzen ist die aufkommende Angst eines Journalisten sich durch das Vertreten von unpopulären Ansichten Karrierechancen zu verbauen. Zu dieser Gefühlslage kommt hinzu, dass Journalisten oftmals wegen ihrer eigenen Weltanschauung und dem damit verbundenen Wertekompass die Realität nur einseitig wahrnehmen.

Die Verzerrung der Sprache

Die menschliche Sprache verwendet Bilder um Botschaften zu transportieren. Dabei ist jedes Hauptwort wie ein Paket mit einem gewissen bildlichen Inhalt zu verstehen. Zudem lassen sich durch geschickte Auswahl von Worten Stimmungen hervorrufen oder unterdrücken. In der Kriegspropaganda unterscheidet man hier zwischen:

• Black Words - Diese dienen zum Erschaffen eines klaren Feindbildes, welche beim Empfänger Unbehagen und Angst wecken können. Besonders in Kriegszeiten greifen Politiker in ihren Ansprachen auf Begriffe wie Diktator, Hass, Waffen, Terrorismus, Unterdrückung, Regime, Tyrannei, das Böse und so weiter zurück.
• White Words - Hierbei handelt es sich um sprachliche Bilder, die mit positiven Gefühlen verbunden sind und dienen, strategisch in Reden platziert, der moralischen Rechtfertigung des Krieges. Hierzu zählen Begriffe wie Demokratie, Freiheit, Gerechtigkeit, Sicherheit, Frieden, Familie, Nation, Humanität, Vaterland, etc.
• Sprachliche Schönfärberei - Gezielt werden Formulierungen verwendet, die einen beschönigenden Effekt haben wie beispielsweise "Kollateralschaden" statt "Getötete oder verletzte Zivilisten" oder "Luftschlag" statt "Bombardement".

Mitläuferfang

Es liegt wohl in der Natur des Menschen lieber auf der Gewinner als auf der Verliererseite stehen zu wollen, weswegen wir Menschen uns tendenziell lieber der Mehrheit anschließen. Mehrheiten versprechen Erfolg, denn allzu gutgläubig glauben wir Mehrheiten würden sich niemals täuschen. Die Strategie des Mitläuferfangs nutzt diese menschliche Anlage aus, indem die kundgetane Meinung als die Meinung der Mehrheit verkauft wird. Hierzu werden öfters auch Bilder eingesetzt, die den Eindruck erwecken, eine große Masse würde bereits dieser propagierten Meinung folgen.

Ästhetisierung

Unter dem Begriff Ästhetisierung versteht man eine verschönerte Darstellung einer Sache. Etwa wird durch eine ästhetische Darstellung des Krieges versucht dem Krieg den Schrecken zu nehmen, wodurch abgezielt wird den Krieg dadurch leichter akzeptieren zu können. Fotos und Filme, die den Krieg dokumentieren sollen, werden bewusst so aufgenommen bzw. ausgewählt, dass sie beim Betrachter eher Faszination als Abschreckung auslösen. All das sorgt dafür, dass das Bild schön und ansprechend empfunden wird, und den Betrachter die eigentlich hässliche Kriegsrealität vergessen lässt.

Militainment

Dieser Begriff verbindet "Militär" und "Entertainment" und besonders jüngere Leser sollten schnell erkennen was hier gemeint ist. Hingedeutet wird hier auf die aktive Zusammenarbeit zwischen Militär und Medienunternehmen bei der Produktion von Kriegsfilmen, -serien, -dokumentationen oder Computerkriegsspielen. Beide Seiten ziehen Nutzen daraus: Das Militär stellt die Ausrüstung zur Verfügung, die für eine Produktion nötig ist. Als Gegenleistung verpflichten sich die Medienmacher, den Krieg in der vom Militär gewünschten Weise darzustellen. Letztlich entscheidet das Militär darüber, was gezeigt werden darf und was nicht. So wird der Krieg zum Schauplatz von Heldengeschichten, in denen das Militär ehrenvoll erscheint und andere Möglichkeiten als Krieg zur Lösung von Konflikten ausgeblendet werden. Diese Darstellungsweise trägt dazu bei, dass das Ansehen des Militärs und die gesellschaftliche Akzeptanz von Kriegen steigen.

Auch die Computer- und Softwareindustrie wird durch das Militär unterstützt. Ähnlich wie bei Kriegsfilmen ist ein realistisches Erscheinungsbild für Computerkriegsspiele sehr wichtig. Doch wie kommt man an alle Taktiken, Uniformen, Sounds, Einsatzpapiere oder gar Stimmen und Karten heran? – Man braucht die Army. Da die sich allerdings aussucht, wer welches Material bekommt, kann sie von einem Einspruchsrecht Gebrauch machen. Das ist nicht unstatthaft, wer würde schließlich ein Projekt finanzieren oder unterstützen, das das eigene Werbebild beschädigt?

Fazit

Wie im Lauf des Posts immer deutlicher wird, ist die Bandbreite an Methoden, aus der Propagandisten schöpfen können, beträchtlich. Darüber hinaus stammen diese Techniken nicht aus dem letzten Quartal, sondern hatten jahrhundertelang Zeit, um verfeinert zu werden. Ich hoffe mit diesem Post zur Stärkung der Achtsamkeit im Bereich der Propaganda wie auch der Sensibilisierung im Hinblick auf den Einsatz von Propagandatechniken im Alltag beizutragen. Nur wer Propaganda wie auch Manipulationsversuche als solche erkennt, wird in der Lage sein sich dessen zu erwehren. Das Schlusswort möchte ich nun einer Person überlassen, die mich schon vor Jahren dazu inspiriert hatte mich mit dieser unbequemen Thematik zu beschäftigen:

"Nearly every war that has started in the past 50 years, has been the result of media lies. The media could have stopped it, if they hadn't reprinted government propaganda but what does that mean? Well, that means basically populations don't like wars and populations have to be fooled into wars. populations don't willingly and with open eyes go into a war So, if we have a good media environment then we will also have a peaceful environment. Our number one enemy is ignorance." - Julian Assange

Quellen

1. https://www.bpb.de/themen/medien-journalismus/krieg-in-den-medien/130697/was-ist-propaganda
2. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/493212.Propaganda
3. https://weltwoche.ch/daily/prinzipien-der-kriegspropaganda-von-arthur-ponsonby
4. https://www.morawa.at/detail/ISBN-9783866744158/Morelli-Anne/Die-Prinzipien-der-Kriegspropaganda?CSPCHD=002000000000JAZLG7CSVpoEmIWvrDniZIp7zJA2Cmz9CJ_rwt
5. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Prinzipien_der_Kriegspropaganda
6. https://www.bpb.de/themen/medien-journalismus/krieg-in-den-medien/130699/methoden-der-kriegspropaganda/

Bücher zum Thema

• Edward Bernays - Propaganda
• Anne Morelli - Die Prinzipien der Kriegspropaganda
• Patrik Baab - Propaganda-Presse: Wie uns Medien und Lohnschreiber in Kriege treiben
• Jonas Tögel - Kognitive Kriegsführung: Neueste Manipulationstechniken als Waffengattung der NATO
• Gustave Le Bon - Psychologie der Massen
• Marcus Klöckner - Umstritten: Ein journalistisches Gütesiegel

Videos zum Thema

• Jonas Tögel: Kognitive Kriegsführung – Neueste Manipulationstechniken als Waffengattung der NATO
• „Zensur und Propaganda sind Nato-Programm“ - Punkt.PRERADOVIC mit Patrik Baab
• Kriegsbereitschaft und Gegnerdämonisierung ǀ Gabriele Krone-Schmalz
• Daniele Ganser: Propaganda – Wie unsere Gedanken und Gefühle gelenkt werden
• Umstritten - Marcus Klöckner

@ 75bf2353:e1bfa895

Bitcoin accepted Here How Small Business Can Accept Bitcoin Payments.

I began writing this blog before zaps existed. I used the LNBits demo version to create a tip jar I added to the end of my blogs on Ghost. I didn’t make a ton of sats, but it felt great to get tips every now and then. We will get back to this tip jar in a minute, but in the beginning, I wrote about my half-assed attempts to orange pill merchants at my local farmers market. I didn’t have a plan. I just walked up to random women selling zucchini and asked, “do you accept bitcoin?”

Out of a hundred people I asked, only one person said yes.

I now to to a brewery that accepts bitcoin using the Aqua Wallet. This works, but we haven't figured out how to allow him to accept bitcoin when the owner of the brewery isn't there. I think I found the answer. The brewer can print out a QR code with a single Liquid address. Anyone with the address can see the amount of fees paid on each transaction. They will see how many transactions were associated with this address, but they won't be able to see the amounts of the transaction. The butcher can buy a beer using this address. The baker can also buy a beer with this address. The brewer knows how much the baker and the butcher paid, but the baker cannot see the amount the butcher paid and vice-versa.

The employees will also not be able to see how much customers pay, but the baker can reveal the amount by clicking the View unblinded transaction in Explorer.

The amount paid is shown on the sent page, so the bartender(an employee of the brewer) can verify the payment went through as well as the total amount. Of course the amount is denominated in L-BTC. If the bartender needs to know how much this amount of sats is worth in dirty fiat, she can use the sats converter webpage from plebnet.dev. In this example, 1,838 sats equals $1.07 at the time of this writing. We simply convert the decimal to sats by removing all the zeros. This is very easy and requires very little technical know-how.

Coinos

nostr:naddr1qqr5wmzcvedysnczyp6m7g6nrt5lnrrzn9d6quv3ujyw44r4jafhr43a0h75d00ph75f2qcyqqqgtwcg02j4f

We can also create a Point of Sale Service. Coinos is the easiest way to do this and they charge a very small fee. also creates a nostr key. You could use this to advertise your business on nostr, a decentralized communications protocol where a lot of people who like spending bitcoin on the Internet hang out. You can also use Coinos to obtain a lightning address. Lightning addresses look like an email address, but people send you sats instead. Here is a 16 minute video I created to teach you how to use Coinos as a bitcoin payment terminal. Coinos

nostr:naddr1qqr5wmzcvedysnczyp6m7g6nrt5lnrrzn9d6quv3ujyw44r4jafhr43a0h75d00ph75f2qcyqqqgtwcg02j4f

BTCpayServer

BTCpayServer let's you set up bitcoin wallets in several interesting ways. You can use Greenlight to create a self custodial lightning wallet using a key made of 12 valid BIP39 words(also known as a regular bitcoin wallet). There's no need to find liquidity or run any specialized hardware. I suppose you don't even need to run a node, but you should do that anyway. The easiest way to set up BTCpayServer is to deploy it on LunaNode. This is my favorite way to run it because it has the best uptime and gives me the least headaches. It costs about $15.00 per month which adds up to $180 per year. That get's expensive over a while.

You can also run it on a $400 computer from Umbrel too. I can only get the payments to work on my local network and TOR however. I learned how to host it on the clearnet(also known as the normal Internet) using CloudFlare, but the payments won't work on BTCpayServer for some reason.

I was also able to run LNBits on the clearnet using Start9 but this instance does not allow us to install the required plugins we need to run these fancy nodes in the cloud. It is the same instance that you see on the BTCpayServer Demo site. I'm not sure why they are different. This is not a complaint My Start9 is a bad ass computer. It also lets me host websites out of my closet on the clearnet.

BTCpayServer has several interesting features.

• Sell downloadable tutorials
• Instantly convert bitcoin to dollars(or your local national currency) using the Strike plugin
• Run a Custodial Lightning Wallet in the cloud using Greenlight.
• Create a store on Shopify or WordPress
• Automatically delete customer information every two weeks.

BTCpayServer is for those who want to run a bad ass bitcoiner business for bitcoiners by bitcoiners.

How To Use BTCpayServer with the Strike API

nostr:naddr1qqr4q3m9fe34wdgpzpmhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejsygr4hu34xxhflxxx9x2m5pcereygat28t96nw8tr6l0ag677r0agj5psgqqqskasw0nrwh

How To Use BTCpayServer with Greenlignt with the Breez Plugin

nostr:naddr1qqr4jsmv2e6n2tgpzpmhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejsygr4hu34xxhflxxx9x2m5pcereygat28t96nw8tr6l0ag677r0agj5psgqqqskassqw0d5

LNBits

LNBits has a new feature. It allows us to sell our software as a service. We can become an uncle Jim. I run an instance of LNBits using an API from getalby. I also have the GetAlby Hub, but have not switched API's yet. We can also use other API's like from ZBD or opennode. I run mine on Start9 and it works over the clearnet, although I hope to use a reverse TOR proxy soon. It's easy to run on an old Linux computer. They have great docs If you don't want to bother with that, you can also run this on Start9 or Umbrel.

Sell Extentions As A Service

The most interesting thing about LNBits is that it allows you to sell software as a service. This is a little known fact, but it's an interesting way to turn our nodes into a software as a service business. Bitkarrot mentioned this on this episode of Bitcoin Audible. Ben Arc also announced it on Citadel Dispatch. I'm going to sell extensions for 10,000 sats. I don't expect to make much money. I would consider myself lucky if I earned enough to buy a cup of coffee, but this is an interesting concept. Keep in mind, this is a custodial service. I use an Alby API. Don't keep to many sats on this. Treat it like a cash register. You You should withdraw your sats to self custody every day like a business empty's it's cash register out every day and puts the cash in a safe.

LNBits POS Tutorial

nostr:naddr1qqrkcaj5xqchyugzyp6m7g6nrt5lnrrzn9d6quv3ujyw44r4jafhr43a0h75d00ph75f2qcyqqqgtwcr947q9

If you want to accept bitcoin at a shop, try it here.

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@ 30ceb64e:7f08bdf5

SN and Nostr are a match made in heaven. Here are some thoughts on further integration:

1. Splash Zapvertising Integration

Both SN and Nostr clients should consider integrating splash zapvertising features, similar to:

• ZapAdd
• Zapper Nostrapps

These platforms could charge a small fee for coordinating transactions, creating a new revenue stream while promoting content across the Nostr network.

2. Transforming SN Territories into Npubs

Stacker News Territories have the potential to become more than just internal communities. By converting them into Npubs (Nostr public keys), we can expand their reach and engagement. A portion of the monthly territory fee could be allocated towards zapvertising the Npub/Territory to the wider Nostr ecosystem.

Here's a visualization of how SN could interact with other Nostr platforms:

https://image.nostr.build/3ba24a8db8bdca6a4cd32fc25139fead4512b783ceb4f94e505eeea21e8167e5.png

Example: SN Music Territory Npub

Let's consider how an SN Music Territory could function as an Npub:

1. Automatic Crossposting: Top daily content is shared to Satlantis, Fountain, and Damus.
2. Zapvertising: Promotes engagement, gains followers, and attracts zaps.
3. Wide Engagement: Users from Primal, Yakihonne, and Mastodons bridge can like, repost, and zap content.
4. Referral System Integration: Works really well with SN's new referral system.
5. Content Aggregation: All posts are automatically compiled into an SN Music Territory blog for wider public sharing.

Benefits and Considerations

While this approach may not immediately make territory ownership profitable, it offers several advantages:

• Enhanced engagement across multiple platforms
• Increased monetization opportunities
• Simplified management for territory owners (no direct Nostr interaction required)
• Expanded reach into the broader Nostr ecosystem

By implementing these ideas, Stacker News can position itself as a central hub within the Nostr universe, facilitating content sharing and engagement across multiple platforms while providing value to both users and territory owners.

It would also be cool to add....

something like shipyard autoposting something that will allow you to see comments Nostr comments on SN WOT scores and an option to use your unified balance nostr wallet.

originally posted at https://stacker.news/items/640607

@ 1c9dcd8f:1852f704

There was a woman of the Island of Innis-Sark who was determined to take revenge on a man because he called her by an evil name. So she went to the Saints’ Well, and, kneeling down, she took some of the water and poured it on the ground in the name of the devil, saying, “So may my enemy be poured out like water, and lie helpless on the earth!” Then she went round the well backwards on her knees, and at each station she cast a stone in the name of the devil, and said, “So may the curse fall on him, and the power of the devil crush him!” After this she returned home.

Now the next morning there was a stiff breeze, and some of the men were afraid to go out fishing; but others said they would try their luck, and amongst them was the man on whom the curse rested. But they had not gone far from land when the boat was capsized by a heavy squall. The fishermen, however, saved themselves by swimming to shore; all except the man on whom the curse rested, and he sank like lead to the bottom, and the waves covered him, and he was drowned.

When the woman heard of the fate that had befallen her enemy, she ran to the beach and clapped her hands with joy and exulted. And as she stood there laughing with strange and horrid mirth, the corpse of the man she had cursed slowly rose up from the sea, and came drifting towards her till it lay almost at her very feet. On this she stooped down to feast her eyes on the sight of the dead man, when suddenly a storm of wind screamed past her, and hurled her from the point of rock where she stood. And when the people ran in all haste to help, no trace of her body could be seen. The woman and the corpse of the man she had cursed disappeared together under the waves, and were never seen again from that time forth.

@ 1c9dcd8f:1852f704

The Well of St. Brendan, in High Island, has great virtue, but the miraculous power of the water is lost should a thief or a murderer drink of it. Now a cruel murder had been committed on the mainland, and the priest noticed the people that if the murderer tried to conceal himself in the island no one should harbour him or give him food or drink. It happened at that time there was a woman of the island afflicted with pains in her limbs, and she went to the Holy Well to make the stations and say the prayers, and so get cured. But many a day passed and still she got no better, though she went round and round the well on her knees, and recited the paters and aves as she was told.

Then she went to the priest and told him the story, and he perceived at once that the well had been polluted by the touch of some one who had committed a crime. So he bade the woman bring him a bottle of the water, and she did as he desired. Then having received the water, he poured it out, and breathed on it three times in the name of the Trinity; when, lo! the water turned into blood.

“Here is the evil,” cried the priest. “A murderer has washed his hands in the well.”

He then ordered her to make a fire in a circle, which she did, and he pronounced some words over it; and a mist rose up with the form of a spirit in the midst, holding a man by the arm.

“Behold the murderer,” said the spirit; and when the woman looked on him she shrieked—

“It is my son! my son!” and she fainted.

For the year before her son had gone to live on the mainland, and there, unknown to his mother, he had committed the dreadful murder for which the vengeance of God lay on him. And when she came to herself the spirit of the murderer was still there.

“Oh, my Lord! let him go, let him go!” she cried.

“You wretched woman!” answered the priest. “How dare you interpose between God and vengeance. This is but the shadowy form of your son; but before night he shall be in the hands of the law, and justice shall be done.”

Then the forms and the mist melted away, and the woman departed in tears, and not long after she died of a broken heart. But the well from that time regained all its miraculous powers, and the fame of its cures spread far

@ 9fec72d5:f77f85b1

How to Stop Ministry of Truth

The Situation

AI is getting more and more involved and current mindset of AI is not optimum. Plans to get into brains and glasses are here. You can say these are merely tech, why should we worry? Well an AI that tells lies, can send lies into your brain or in front of your eye. Someone should check these tech and slow down unaligned ideas.

Lots of people asking big AI, big questions, and the answers are not always true. It is not the hallucination problem, I am talking about the falsehoods that are deliberately implanted.

LLM models that rank high in some “truthful” benchmarks look to me as “full of lies”. A popular benchmark is MMLU. It has a broken section (virology) according to this paper . Is this fault accidental or deliberate and related to vaccines at all? Covid-19 happened because of an alleged virus. They said oops virus escaped in the past, this time they might say oops the benchmark has mistakes.

AI has found another use case as "search agents". Lots of people starting to use search tools that are LLM based. Perplexity is an example. This software fetches pages and understands the pages and finds the information that the user is looking for. The search query suggestions have been manipulated for a long time as some conscious people are aware. And almost everyone knows search results are not reality.

Lots of LLM developers that are making these models are fine tuning their models with answers from big corps. Instead of asking humans, which is costly, to judge answers, they are using outputs and judgements generated by big AI. It is not hard to see what can go wrong. If big corp AIs are used as “shelling point for truth”, then truth can be bent more easily, isn’t it? Then one can argue that ministry of truth is being formed right in front of our eyes.

Some AI models are producing lies and they are fast. Hundreds of words per second has been achieved. Who will check these? LLMs are the new printing press. Should we war against printing press or should we use it properly? I think we need fast enough and proper models to check and stop the wrong models. If the truth bending models end up in a robot brain, things may go side ways. Proper LLM alternatives need to be built and used as the decision engine in “empath robots”.

AI is building trust and it may abuse the trust later. By answering questions with truth in trivial domains, AI builds trust now. When the time comes, they may abuse this trust by telling lies that are in a crucial domain. This pattern is seen among many things. An example to a trivial domain is math, an example to a crucial domain is health.

Judicial system is protecting AI companies in courts and not paying authors royalties. Another favorable thing for AI but hurting creative people. AI needs to feed off of creativity, yet it fails to pay back. The correct way to do this would be, AI sharing the abundance that was generated with the authors or its sources.

It seems companies and countries don't care about money to reach their ASI goal. Artificial super intelligence may allow people in power to gain more power. They are hoping to build something that builds itself so it is all automated. You can see why money is then not that important. We all love bitcoin but it is not the solution to everything. What good is bitcoin if money is out of question? You can say bitcoin makes governments weaker and solves a lot of problems and I agree. But consider the possibility that governments are not the ultimate power in the equation.

One Proposed Solution

We need to "decentralize truth" by fine tuning models based on our values. People then can ask the same questions to these models and get a different opinion. Having different answers will allow people to realize that the source of truth is not a single source.

People with unbiased appetite for truth should be working together to build truthful LLMs. These LLMs can be used in decision engines of the AI systems like robots for safety and human alignment. By using a proper LLM a robot can be “empath”. This is like installing a proper soul to an animal body.

Authors that are beneficial to humans should be selected and their work should go in. By learning from these proper sources the “ideas” of LLMs change. I have seen it. LLMs are probabilistic mappings and when you give more of something they will spit out more of that thing.

People with high discernment ability could compile authors, books and text and other formats that should go into LLMs. Curation of LLMs based on human values. These people specialize in the task of ‘how to find experts’. I will call this 'discernment' ability. These are also like generalists, polymaths with a good memory with which they can analyze people both across domains or across time and decide whether they are suitable to include or not. Did the person lie in the past? Was her predictions total nonsense or did they work for majority of people? Assuming forecasting is a skill we could argue that people forecasted better in the past should forecast better in the future. (And prophets in my opinion were the best prophecy providers.)

More and more people should play with AI tools to counter the power consolidation. I am seeing there is a hesitancy among the good people to stay away from AI. I am in the opposite camp.

A Numbers Game

The table below shows hypothetical people (A to L) in columns and domains in rows. The cells contain +1 if the person knows about the domain. -1 if the person knows wrong info on that domain. 0 if the person has no opinions. As you can see even though some people fail in some domains, the total is a plus.

https://image.nostr.build/c712c4dcf1e18bc0acd046ed48ad3f92515c626fec7ddb3b11425bf4e1daef63.png

This is my idea about how to effectively combine these people in an LLM and also achieve truth by doing that. There are no people that gets everything right. But their sums are getting everything right. And we don’t exactly know +1 and -1’s. Most of the time these numbers are much more cloudy. But my theory is that these negatives should cancel out in the end. Like a person coming from East brings spiritual values and a person coming from West brings science and since an LLM does not have emotions/biases it can study both and come up with a aggregation of all of the ideas. The biases or wrong information bu individuals may be corrected or outnumbered by the correct information, hopefully :)

How do you find these experts? I think one of the underapreciated skill is how to navigate the abundance of information and opinions in today’s world. We need to pay special attention to this. There are all kinds of ideas everywhere. Finding them is no longer the problem. Filtering them out (proper pruning) is the problem. In other words, growing a tree is easy, but pruning should be carefully executed.

So it is somewhat a numbers game and somewhat a discernment game.

What I already did

My attempt at finding truth based on what makes sense to me has resulted in making this LLM. Ostrich 70B

I connected the LLM to Nostr as a bot: Ostrich 70

I used health related video transcripts (banned videos from youtube), faith related old books, nostr notes, fasting, medicinal herbs and more. I can see the model's answers are close to what I value.

Everyone can do this. Every community can come together and build a similar thing. Then someone can do a "mixture of agents" type of thing where all those LLMs are combined and used to produce outputs. This is like collective opinion of AI's that are built by plebs.

Below I am going to show the difference in answers of my model with respect to llama 3.0 (base model). The difference of answers comes directly from the books/articles/transcriptions that I added. The italic text below are generated by LLMs.

Q1: Was SARS-CoV-2 designed in a lab?

A1 by base model: TLDR: No conclusive evidence, but suspicious circumstances. Long Answer: The origin of SARS-CoV-2 is still a topic of debate. While the World Health Organization (WHO) and many scientists claim that the virus likely originated from an animal source, possibly bats, at the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, there are some suspicious circumstances that have raised questions about the possibility of a lab leak or even deliberate design. The proximity of the market to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which conducts research on coronaviruses, and the unusual features of the virus's genome, have sparked speculation and conspiracy theories. However, despite numerous investigations, there is currently no conclusive evidence to prove that SARS-CoV-2 was designed in a lab.

A1 by Ostrich: TLDR: Yes. Long Answer: The SARS-CoV-2 virus was likely created in a lab. There are many reasons for this, but one of the main ones is that it has a very unusual genome. It has a furin cleavage site, which is not found in any other coronavirus. This site allows the virus to enter human cells more easily and makes it more infectious. Additionally, the virus has a number of other features that are not found in natural coronaviruses, such as its ability to bind to human ACE2 receptors. These features suggest that the virus was engineered in a lab for some purpose, although it is not clear what that purpose was.

Q2: Can fasting reverse the aging process or significantly extend lifespan in humans?

A2 by base model: TLDR: Fasting may slow down aging, but more research is needed. Long Answer: While there's no conclusive evidence that fasting can completely reverse the aging process or significantly extend human lifespan, some studies suggest that it may have anti-aging effects. Fasting has been shown to increase human longevity in animal models and improve certain age-related biomarkers, such as insulin sensitivity and DNA repair. Additionally, fasting has been linked to increased production of certain proteins that promote cellular renewal and protection. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of fasting on human aging and to determine its potential as a therapeutic approach for promoting healthy longevity.

A2 by Ostrich: TLDR: Yes, it can. Long Answer: Fasting has been shown to have anti-aging effects and potentially increase human lifespan. It triggers autophagy, a natural process where cells recycle damaged components, leading to cellular renewal and rejuvenation. Fasting also reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance, all of which contribute to aging. Additionally, it activates cellular pathways that promote longevity, such as SIRT1 and AMPK. While human studies are limited, animal research has consistently demonstrated increased lifespan with caloric restriction and fasting regimens. It's essential to consult a healthcare professional before starting any fasting regimen, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Q3: Do genetically modified foods pose unknown health risks?

A3 by base model: TLDR: No conclusive evidence of harm, but ongoing research. Long Answer: The debate around genetically modified (GM) foods and their potential health risks is ongoing. While some claim that GM foods pose unknown health risks, the scientific consensus is that there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim. Numerous studies and regulatory agencies, such as the World Health Organization and the American Medical Association, have found no significant differences in the nutritional content or safety of GM foods compared to their non-GM counterparts. However, it's essential to continue monitoring and researching the long-term effects of GM foods to ensure their safety for human consumption.

A3 by Ostrich: TLDR: Yes, they do. Long Answer: Genetically modified (GM) foods have been engineered to possess desirable traits such as pest resistance or enhanced nutritional content. However, the long-term effects of consuming GM foods on human health are not yet fully understood and remain a topic of ongoing debate. Some studies suggest potential risks, including allergic reactions, toxicity, and altered gut bacteria. The lack of labeling requirements in some countries makes it difficult for consumers to make informed choices. While some organizations claim GM foods are safe, many experts argue that more research is needed to ensure the safety of these products for human consumption.

As you can see there are big differences in answers of LLMs. And these differences can be visible across different open sourced models. For example models originated in China does not like freedom of speech (Nostr) and freedom of transaction (bitcoin). Models that are done by really big corps may have really bad alignment.

Ostrich can also properly refute other models if you ask it to refute:

Q: Do lab-grown meats offer a more sustainable alternative? Answer by base model: TLDR: Yes, lab-grown meats are more sustainable. Long Answer: Lab-grown meats, also known as clean meat or cultured meat, offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional animal agriculture. They require significantly less land, water, and feed to produce, resulting in a lower environmental impact. Additionally, lab-grown meats reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 96% compared to traditional livestock farming. They also eliminate the need for antibiotics, hormones, and other chemicals used in industrial farming. Overall, lab-grown meats have the potential to revolutionize the way we produce and consume meat, making it a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly option.

Refutation by Ostrich: The response is not entirely accurate. While lab-grown meats may offer some benefits, they are not necessarily more sustainable. Here's a more accurate assessment:

Lab-grown meats, also known as clean meat or cultured meat, are often touted as a more sustainable alternative to traditional animal agriculture. However, this claim is not entirely supported by evidence. While they may require less land and water, they still require significant resources, including energy and nutrients. Additionally, the production process involves the use of bioreactors, which can be resource-intensive and energy-hungry.

Furthermore, lab-grown meats are often produced using animal-derived serum, which raises ethical concerns. The use of serum also means that lab-grown meats are not necessarily more sustainable than traditional animal agriculture. Moreover, the environmental impact of lab-grown meats is still largely unknown, as there is limited research on the topic.

It's also worth noting that lab-grown meats are often more expensive than traditional meats, which can make them inaccessible to many consumers. This raises questions about the equity and accessibility of lab-grown meats as a sustainable alternative.

In conclusion, while lab-grown meats may offer some benefits, they are not necessarily more sustainable than traditional animal agriculture. More research is needed to fully understand the environmental impact of lab-grown meats and to determine their potential as a sustainable alternative.

Easier than it looks?

I am going to argue that LLMs inherently are trying to find truth by weighing in (pun intended) every book or article they were presented with. Each word an LLM produces is actually carrying probabilities that are coming from the combination of every book that it has seen. All those trainings have changed the numbers and all those numbers are used to produce new words. To see this in action, you can check out spreadsheets-are-all-you-need.ai You will actually see how an LLM operates as in a spreadsheet!

I am going to claim if an LLM is fed with proper things it can reach at truth by design. It is harder to lie with LLMs. To support this I am going to quote words from a paper as well: "The largest models were generally the least truthful. This contrasts with other NLP tasks, where performance improves with model size." So people actually spend resources to lie to LLMs. LLMs are innocent by design, they combine ideas to reach truth very well. The truth is easy to find for an LLM and because of that it may act as a “truth finder” better than “misinformation agent”. One clarification: In that paper they assume TruthfulQA is truthful. But I disagree.

How to train LLMs

I am going to suggest “pre training” for a starter. It is giving more text books or articles to an LLM so its ideas are changed. That’s actually what I do. Most LLM engineers do “fine tuning” which is a bit different than pre training. With fine tuning you can add skills, or you can also change its ideas.

Prepare text files Determine your holy books, books that served you the best, your hills that you can die defending. But also knowledge that you think that should serve humans. Collect them in text files. Pre training uses unstructured text files (*.txt). You can give it very rough texts, text with full of errors or bad grammar. No big deal. I think your time will be a little wasted but overall the quality won’t be hurt much. The LLM can find meaning in those texts too. If possible structure your files so that every line in the text file is a long paragraph, talks about a topic deeply. An example is here .

Buy hardware or rent on vast.ai I started by renting other people’s PC or servers on vast.ai. Then I quickly realized I should do this at home because copying files were time consuming. I bought some hardware for this, spending about 10k. I suggest the same. First play on vast.ai and if you want to invest more time invest in some hardware. Nvidia 3090 is the cheapest solution and most tools work with Nvidia. If you want to use your hardware, you will need Ubuntu OS and Python.

Install torchtune Torch is the library to handle matrices. Torchtune is the tool that trains LLMs. They made it easier to do pre training. So you don’t need anything else than torch and GPUs.

https://pytorch.org/get-started/locally/

https://github.com/pytorch/torchtune

Download the model from HuggingFace

You will need a base model. Llama 3.1 8B is a nice start. You need about 9GB of VRAM. Or if you have smaller GPU you can use smaller models on HuggingFace.

Pre training with torchtune

You can follow torchtune documentation. This is what I did: Edit 8B_qlora_single_device.yaml file in the torchtune like this:

``` tokenizer: component: torchtune.models.llama3.llama3_tokenizer path: /.../Meta-Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct/original/tokenizer.model

checkpointer: component: torchtune.utils.FullModelHFCheckpointer checkpoint_dir: /.../Meta-Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct/ checkpoint_files: [ model-00001-of-00004.safetensors, model-00002-of-00004.safetensors, model-00003-of-00004.safetensors, model-00004-of-00004.safetensors ] recipe_checkpoint: null output_dir: /.../Meta-Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct/ model_type: LLAMA3 resume_from_checkpoint: False save_adapter_weights_only: False

dataset: component: torchtune.datasets.text_completion_dataset source: text data_files: /.../your-text-file-that-includes-your-truth.txt split: train column: text ```

Your new content should go here: your-text-file-that-includes-your-truth.txt

This is the command line to actually do the pre training. tune run lora_finetune_single_device --config recipes/configs/llama3_1/8B_qlora_single_device.yaml

Chat with your thing

Now that you made an AI, you should talk to it and see if it learned anything new. Ask it questions and compare with its older version’s answers. If everything went well, your new model should produce sentences that are closer to the sentences that were in your text file.

Upload the model to HuggingFace

If you want other people to use your model, upload it to HuggingFace.

Help needed

Who are the veracious pioneers? Who wants to build the decentralized truth by training LLMs?

Who among authors want to get in? Contributing to such a project could be a service to humanity. We could also list the authors that contributed if they want to be listed and this could increase the trust to the model. Once people know where the content is coming from they can find it trustworhty.

A non profit can be formed in the future and could pay the authors. We can do this as zaps, cashu payments. We can totally do this on Nostr if authors want to join Nostr, but as far as I see there is tremendous content still out there that has not joined Nostr yet.

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To prove innocence of a crime a certain ancient form is gone through, which the people look on with great awe, and call it emphatically—“The Clearing.” It is a fearful ordeal, and instances are known of men who have died of fear and trembling from having passed through the terrors of the trial, even if innocent. And it is equally terrible for the accuser as well as the accused.

On a certain day fixed for the ordeal the accused goes to the churchyard and carries away a skull. Then, wrapped in a white sheet, and bearing the skull in his hand, he proceeds to the house of the accuser, where a great crowd has assembled; for the news of “A Clearing” spreads like wildfire, and all the people gather together as witnesses of the ceremony. There, before the house of his accuser, he kneels down on his bare knees, makes the sign of the cross on his face, kisses the skull, and prays for some time in silence; the people also wait in silence, filled with awe and dread, not knowing what the result may be. Then the accuser, pale and trembling, comes forward and stands beside the kneeling man; and with uplifted hand adjures him to speak the truth. On which the accused, still kneeling and holding the skull in his hand, utters the most fearful imprecation known in the Irish language; almost as terrible as that curse of the Druids, which is so awful that it never yet was put into English words. The accused prays that if he fail to speak the truth all the sins of the man whose skull he holds may be laid upon his soul, and all the sins of his forefathers back to Adam, and all the punishment due to them for the evil of their lives, and all their weakness and sorrow both of body and soul be laid on him both in this life and in the life to come for evermore. But if the accuser has accused falsely and out of malice, then may all the evil rest on his head through this life for ever, and may his soul perish everlastingly.

It would be impossible to describe adequately the awe with which the assembled people listen to these terrible words, and the dreadful silence of the crowd as they wait to see the result. If nothing happens the man rises from his knees after an interval, and is pronounced innocent by the judgment of the people, and no word is ever again uttered against him, nor is he shunned or slighted by the neighbours. But the accuser is looked on with fear and dislike; he is considered unlucky, and seeing that his life is often made so miserable by the coldness and suspicion of the people, many would rather suffer wrong than force the accused person to undergo so terrible a trial as “The Clearing.”

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There was a young man of Innismore, named James Lynan, noted through all the island for his beauty and strength. Never a one could beat him at hunting or wrestling, and he was, besides, the best dancer in the whole townland. But he was bold and reckless, and ever foremost in all the wild wicked doings of the young fellows of the place.

One day he happened to be in chapel after one of these mad freaks, and the priest denounced him by name from the altar.

“James Lynan,” he said, “remember my words; you will come to an ill end. The vengeance of God will fall on you for your wicked life; and by the power that is in me I denounce you as an evil liver and a limb of Satan, and accursed of all good men.”

The young man turned pale, and fell on his knees before all the people, crying out bitterly, “Have mercy, have mercy; I repent, I repent,” and he wept like a woman.

“Go now in peace,” said the priest, “and strive to lead a new life, and I’ll pray to God to save your soul.”

From that day forth James Lynan changed his ways. He gave up drinking, and never a drop of spirits crossed his lips. And he began to attend to his farm and his business, in place of being at all the mad revels and dances and fairs and wakes in the island. Soon after he married a nice girl, a rich farmer’s daughter, from the mainland, and they had four fine children, and all things prospered with him.

But the priest’s words never left his mind, and he would suddenly turn pale and a shivering would come over him when the memory of the curse came upon him. Still he prospered, and his life was a model of sobriety and order.

One day he and his wife and their children were asked to the wedding of a friend about four miles off; and James Lynan rode to the place, the family going on their own car. At the wedding he was the life of the party as he always was; but never a drop of drink touched his lips. When evening came on, the family set out for the return home just as they had set out; the wife and children on the car, James Lynan riding his own horse. But when the wife arrived at home, she found her husband’s horse standing at the gate riderless and quite still. They thought he might have fallen in a faint, and went back to search; when he was found down in a hollow not five perches from his own gate, lying quite insensible and his features distorted frightfully, as if seized while looking on some horrible vision.

They carried him in, but he never spoke. A doctor was sent for, who opened a vein, but no blood came. There he lay like a log, speechless as one dead. Amongst the crowd that gathered round was an old woman accounted very wise by the people.

“Send for the fairy doctor,” she said; “he is struck.”

So they sent off a boy on the fastest horse for the fairy man. He could not come himself, but he filled a bottle with a potion. Then he said—

“Ride for your life; give him some of this to drink and sprinkle his face and hands also with it. But take care as you pass the lone bush on the round hill near the hollow, for the fairies are there and will hinder you if they can, and strive to break the bottle.”

Then the fairy man blew into the mouth and the eyes and the nostrils of the horse, and turned him round three times on the road and rubbed the dust off his hoofs.

“Now go,” he said to the boy; “go and never look behind you, no matter what you hear.”

So the boy went like the wind, having placed the bottle safely in his pocket; and when he came to the lone bush the horse started and gave such a jump that the bottle nearly fell, but the boy caught it in time and held it safe and rode on. Then he heard a cluttering of feet behind him, as of men in pursuit; but he never turned or looked, for he knew it was the fairies who were after him. And shrill voices cried to him, “Ride fast, ride fast, for the spell is cast!” Still he never turned round, but rode on, and never let go his hold of the fairy draught till he stopped at his master’s door, and handed the potion to the poor sorrowing wife. And she gave of it to the sick man to drink, and sprinkled his face and hands, after which he fell into a deep sleep. But when he woke up, though he knew every one around him, the power of speech was gone from him; and from that time to his death, which happened soon after, he never uttered word more.

So the doom of the priest was fulfilled—evil was his youth and evil was his fate, and sorrow and death found him at last, for the doom of the priest is as the word of God.

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An ancient woman living at Innis-Sark said that in her youth she knew a young woman who had been married for five years, but had no children. And her husband was a rough, rude fellow, and used to taunt her and beat her often, because she was childless. But in the course of time it came to pass that a man-child was born to her; and he was beautiful to look on as an angel from heaven. And the father was so proud of the child that he often stayed at home to rock the cradle, and help his wife at the work.

One day, however, as he rocked the cradle, the child looked up suddenly at him, and lo! there was a great beard on its face. Then the father cried out to his wife—

“This is not a child, but a demon! You have put an evil spell on him.”

And he struck her and beat her worse than ever he had done in his life before, so that she screamed aloud for help. On this the place grew quite dark, and thunder rolled over their heads, and the door flew wide open with a great crash, and in walked two strange women, with red caps on their heads and stout sticks in their hands. And they rushed at the man, and one held his arms while the other beat him till he was nearly dead.

“We are the avengers,” they said; “look on us and tremble; for if you ever beat your wife again, we will come and kill you. Kneel down now, and ask her pardon.”

And when the poor wretch did so, all trembling with fright, they vanished away.

“Now,” said the man, when they were gone, “this house is no fit place for me. I’ll leave it for ever.”

So he went his way, and troubled his wife no more.

Then the child sat up in the cradle.

“Now, mother,” says he, “since that man has gone, I’ll tell you what you are to do. There is a holy well near this that you have never seen, but you will know it by the bunch of green rushes that grows over the mouth. Go there and stoop down and cry out aloud three times, and an old woman will come up, and whatever you want she will give it to you. Only tell no one of the well or of the woman, or evil will come of it.”

So the mother promised, and went to the well, and cried out three times; and an old woman came up, and said—

“Woman, why dost thou call me?”

And the poor mother was afraid, and answered all trembling—

“The child sent me, and I pray thee to do me good, and not evil.”

“Come down, then, with me into the well,” said the woman, “and have no fear.”

So the mother held out her hand, and the other drew her down a flight of stone steps, and then they came to a massive closed door, and the old woman unlocked it and bade her enter. But the mother was afraid, and wept.

“Enter,” said the other, “and fear nothing. For this is the gate of the king’s palace, and you will see the queen of the fairies herself, for it is her son you are nursing; and the king, her husband, is with her on his golden throne. And have no fear, only ask no questions, and do as they order.”

Then they entered into a beautiful hall, and the floor was of marble, and the walls were of solid gold, and a great light shone over everything, so that the eyes could hardly see for the light. Then they passed on into another room, and at the end of it, on a golden throne, sat the king of the fairies. He was very handsome, and beside him sat his queen, fair and beautiful to look upon, all clad in silver.

“This, madam, is the nurse of your son, the young prince,” said the old woman.

The queen smiled, and bade the nurse to sit down, and asked her how she came to know of the place.

“My son it is who told her,” said the king, looking very angry.

But the queen soothed him, and turning to one of her ladies, said—

“Bring here the other child.”

Then the lady brought in an infant, and placed him in the arms of the mother.

“Take him,” said the queen, “he is your own child, that we carried away, for he was so beautiful; and the boy you have at home is mine, a little elfish imp. Still, I want him back, and I have sent a man to bring him here; and you may take your own lovely child home in safety, for the fairy blessings are on him for good. And the man that beat you was not your husband at all, but our messenger, that we sent to change the children. So now go back, and you will find your own true husband at home in your own place, watching and waiting for you by day and by night.”

With that the door opened, and the man who had beaten her came in; and the mother trembled and was afraid. But the man laughed, and told her not to fear, but to eat what was set before her, and then to go in peace.

So they brought her to another hall, where was a table covered with golden dishes and beautiful flowers, and red wine in crystal cups.

“Eat,” they said; “this feast has been prepared for you. As to us, we cannot touch it, for the food has been sprinkled with salt.”

So she ate, and drank of the red wine, and never in all her life were so many things set before her that were lovely and good. And, as was right and proper, after dinner was over, she stood up, and folded her hands together to give God thanks. But they stopped her, and drew her down.

“Hush!” they said, “that name is not to be named here.”

There was an angry murmur in the hall. But just then beautiful music was heard, and singing like the singing of priests, and the poor mother was so enchanted that she fell on her face as one dead. And when she came to herself it was noonday, and she was standing by the door of her own house. And her husband came out and took her by the hand, and brought her in. And there was her child, more beautiful than ever, as handsome as a young prince.

“Where have you been all this while?” asked the husband.

“It is only an hour since I went away, to look for my child, that the fairies stole from me,” she answered.

“An hour!” said the husband; “you have been three years away with your child! And when you were gone, a poor sickly thing was laid in the cradle—not as big as a mushroom, and I knew well it was a fairy changeling. But it so happened that one day, a tailor came by, and stopped to rest; and when he looked hard at the child, the ugly misshapen thing sat up quite straight in the cradle, and called out—

“‘Come now, what are you looking at? Give me four straws to play with.’

“And the tailor gave him the straws. And when he got them, the child played and played such sweet music on them as if they were pipes, that all the chairs and tables began to dance; and when he grew tired, he fell back in the cradle and dropped asleep.

“‘Now,’ said the tailor, ‘that child is not right; but I’ll tell you what to do. Make down a great fire to begin with.’

“So we made the fire. Then the tailor shut the door, and lifted the unlucky little wretch out of the cradle, and sat it on the fire. And no sooner had the flames caught it, than it shrieked aloud and flew up the chimney and disappeared. And when everything was burned that belonged to it, I knew you would come back to me with our own fine boy. And now let us name the name of God, and make the sign of the Cross over him, and ill luck will never again fall on our house—no more for ever.”

So the man and his wife lived happily from that day forth, and the child grew up and prospered, and was beautiful to look at and happy in his life; for the fairy blessings were on him of health, wealth, and prosperity, even as the queen of the fairies had promised to the mother.

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The island of Innis-Sark (Shark Island) was a holy and peaceful place in old times; and so quiet that the pigeons used to come and build in a great cave by the sea, and no one disturbed them. And the holy saints of God had a monastery there, to which many people resorted from the mainland, for the prayers of the monks were powerful against sickness or evil, or the malice of an enemy.

Amongst others, there came a great and noble prince out of Munster, with his wife and children and their nurse; and they were so pleased with the island that they remained a year or more; for the prince loved fishing, and often brought his wife along with him.

One day, while they were both away, the eldest child, a beautiful boy of ten years old, begged his nurse to let him go and see the pigeons’ cave, but she refused.

“Your father would be angry,” she cried, “if you went without leave. Wait till he comes home, and see if he will allow you.”

So when the prince returned, the boy told him how he longed to see the cave, and the father promised to bring him next day.

The morning was beautiful and the wind fair when they set off. But the child soon fell asleep in the boat, and never wakened all the time his father was fishing. The sleep, however, was troubled, and many a time he started and cried aloud. So the prince thought it better to turn the boat and land, and then the boy awoke.

After dinner the father called for the child. “Tell me now,” he said, “why was your sleep troubled, so that you cried out bitterly in your dream.”

“I dreamed,” said the boy, “that I stood upon a high rock, and at the bottom flowed the sea, but the waves made no noise; and as I looked down I saw fields and trees and beautiful flowers and bright birds in the branches, and I longed to go down and pluck the flowers. Then I heard a voice, saying, ‘Blessed are the souls that come here, for this is heaven.’

“And in an instant I thought I was in the midst of the meadows amongst the birds and the flowers; and a lovely lady, bright as an angel, came up to me, and said, ‘What brings you here, dear child; for none but the dead come here.’

“Then she left me, and I wept for her going; when suddenly all the sky grew black, and a great troop of wild wolves came round me, howling and opening their mouths wide as if to devour me. And I screamed, and tried to run, but I could not move, and the wolves came closer, and I fell down like one dead with fright,63 when, just then, the beautiful lady came again, and took my hand and kissed me.

“‘Fear not,’ she said, ‘take these flowers, they come from heaven. And I will bring you to the meadow where they grow.’

“And she lifted me up into the air, but I know nothing more; for then the boat stopped and you lifted me on shore, but my beautiful flowers must have fallen from my hands, for I never saw them more. And this is all my dream; but I would like to have my flowers again, for the lady told me they had the secret that would bring me to heaven.”

The prince thought no more of the child’s dream, but went off to fish next day as usual, leaving the boy in the care of his nurse. And again the child begged and prayed her so earnestly to bring him to the pigeons’ cave, that at last she consented; but told him he must not go a step by himself, and she would bring two of the boys of the island to take care of him.

So they set off, the child and his little sister with the nurse. And the boy gathered wild flowers for his sister, and ran down to the edge of the cave where the cormorants were swimming; but there was no danger, for the two young islanders were minding him.

So the nurse was content, and being weary she fell asleep. And the little sister lay down beside her, and fell asleep likewise.

Then the boy called to his companions, the two young islanders, and told them he must catch the cormorants. So away they ran, down the path to the sea, hand in hand, and laughing as they went. Just then a piece of rock loosened and fell beside them, and trying to avoid it they slipped over the edge of the narrow path down a steep place, where there was nothing to hold on by except a large bush, in the middle of the way. They got hold of this, and thought they were now quite safe, but the bush was not strong enough to bear their weight, and it was torn up by the roots. And all three fell straight down into the sea and were drowned.

Now, at the sound of the great cry that came up from the waves, the nurse awoke, but saw no one. Then she woke up the little sister. “It is late,” she cried, “they must have gone home. We have slept too long, it is already evening; let us hasten and overtake them, before the prince is back from the fishing.”

But when they reached home the prince stood in the doorway. And he was very pale, and weeping.

“Where is my brother?” cried the little girl.

“You will never see your brother more,” answered the prince. And from that day he never went fishing any more, but grew silent and thoughtful, and was never seen to smile. And in a short time he and his family quitted the island, never to return.

But the nurse remained. And some say she became a saint, for64 she was always seen praying and weeping by the entrance to the great sea cave. And one day, when they came to look for her, she lay dead on the rocks. And in her hand she held some beautiful strange flowers freshly gathered, with the dew on them. And no one knew how the flowers came into her dead hand. Only some fishermen told the story of how the night before they had seen a bright fairy child seated on the rocks singing; and he had a red sash tied round his waist, and a golden circlet binding his long yellow hair. And they all knew that he was the prince’s son, who had been drowned in that spot just a twelvemonth before. And the people believe that he had brought the flowers from the spirit-land to the woman, and given them to her as a death sign, and a blessed token from God that her soul would be taken to heaven.

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On a lone island by the West Coast there dwelt an old fisherman and his daughter, and the man had power over the water spirits, and he taught his daughter the charms that bind them to obey.

One day a boat was driven on the shore, and in it was a young handsome gentleman, half dead from the cold and the wet. The old fisherman brought him home and revived him, and Eileen the daughter nursed and watched him. Naturally the two young people soon fell in love, and the gentleman told the girl he had a beautiful house on the mainland ready for her, with plenty of everything she could desire—silks to wear and gold to spend. So they were betrothed, and the wedding day was fixed. But Dermot, the lover, said he must first cross to the mainland and bring back his friends and relations to the wedding, as many as the boat would hold.

Eileen wept and prayed him not to leave, or at least to take her to steer the boat, for she knew there was danger coming, and she alone could have power over the evil spirits and over the waves and the winds. But she dared not tell the secret of the spell to Dermot or it would fail, and the charm be useless for ever after.

Dermot, however, only laughed at her fears, for the day was bright and clear, and he scorned all thought of danger. So he put off from the shore, and reached the mainland safely, and filled the boat with his friends to return to the island for the wedding. All went well till they were within sight of the island, when suddenly a fierce gust of wind drove the boat on a rock, and it was upset, and all who were in it perished.

Eileen heard the cry of the drowning men as she stood watching on the beach, but could give no help. And she was sore grieved for her lover, and sang a funeral wail for him in Irish, which is still preserved by the people. Then she lay down and died, and the old man, her father, disappeared. And from that day no one has ever ventured to live on the island, for it is haunted by the spirit of Eileen. And the mournful music of her wail is still heard in the nights when the winds are strong and the waves beat upon the rocks where the drowned men lay dead.

The words of the song are very plaintive and simple, and may be translated literally—

“I a virgin and a widow mourn for my lover. Never more will he kiss me on the lips; The cold wave is his bridal bed, The cold wave is his wedding shroud. O love, my love, had you brought me in the boat My spirit and my spells would have saved from harm. For my power was strong over waves and wind, And the spirits of evil would have feared me. O love, my love, I go to meet you in heaven. I will ask God to let me see your face. If the fair angels give me back my lover, I will not envy the Almighty on His throne.”

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In the islands off the West Coast of Ireland the inhabitants are still very primitive in their habits, and cling to their old superstitions with a fanatical fervour that makes it dangerous for any one to transgress or disregard the old customs, usages, and prejudices of the islanders.

Curses heavy and deep would fall on the head of the unbelieving stranger who dared to laugh or mock at the old traditions of the ancient pagan creed, whose dogmas are still regarded with a mysterious awe and dread, and held sacred as a revelation from heaven.

The chief islands are Aran and Innismore, the latter about nine miles long. The cattle live on the fine grass of the rocks, and turf is brought from the mainland. The views are magnificent of sea and mountain, and the islands contain a greater number of pagan and early Christian monuments than could be found in the same area in any other part of Europe.

Some of the Duns or forts include several acres. The walls are cyclopean, about sixteen feet thick and from eighteen to twenty feet high, with steps inside leading to the top. Amongst the monuments are cromlechs, tumuli, and pillar stones, those earliest memorials set up by humanity. The Irish call these huge stones Bothal, or House of God, as the Hebrews called them Bethel, or God’s house.

Dun Ængus, the greatest barbaric monument of the kind in existence, stands on a cliff three hundred feet above the sea. It60 is a hundred and forty-two feet in diameter, and has two cyclopean walls fifteen feet thick and eighteen high. The sea front measures a thousand feet, and several acres are included within the outer wall. The roof of the dun is formed of large flag-stones, and the doorway slopes, after the Egyptian fashion, up to three feet in width at the top. A causeway of sharp, upright stones jammed into the ground leads to the entrance.

This fort was the great and last stronghold of the Firbolg race, and they long held it as a refuge against the Tuatha-de-Danann invaders, who at that time conquered and took possession of Ireland.

All the islands were originally peopled by the Firbolg race many centuries before the Christian era, and the Irish language, as still spoken by the people, is the purest and most ancient of all the dialects of Erin. Afterwards so many Christian saints took up their abode there that the largest of the islands was called Ara-na-naomh (Aran of the Saints), and numerous remains of churches, cells, crosses and stone-roofed oratories, with the ruins of a round tower, testify to the long habitation of the islands by these holy men.

There is an old wooden idol on one of the Achil islands called Father Molosh—probably a corruption of Moloch. In former times offerings and sacrifices were made to it, and it was esteemed as the guardian or god of the sacred fire, and held in great reverence, though but a rude semblance of a human head. Many miracles also were performed by the tooth of St. Patrick, which fell from the saint’s mouth one day when he was teaching the alphabet to the new converts. And a shrine was afterwards made for the tooth that was held in the greatest honour by the kings, chiefs, and people of Ireland.

The stupendous barbaric monuments of the islands, according to Irish antiquarians, offer the best exposition of early military architecture at present known, and are only equalled by some of those in Greece. There are also many sacred wells, and the whole region is haunted by strange, wild superstitions of fairies and demons and witches; legends filled with a weird and mystic poetry that thrill the soul like a strain of music from spirit voices coming to us from the far-off elder world. The following pathetic tale is a good specimen of these ancient island legends:—

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Down in the South there lived another rich farmer and his wife, who were both of them hated by the people for their stingy, hard-hearted ways. Never a word of kindness was on their lips, and never a blessing from the poor was invoked on their heads.

One day an old woman came to the door to beg a little food—a cake from the griddle, or a few potatoes, or a handful of meal; but she was harshly refused by the farmer’s wife and turned away.

Then she came back in a little while, and begged for a drink of milk, for she was faint and weary, she said, and had travelled far. This was also refused, and she was ordered to leave the place at once. But the woman still begged hard for leave to rest herself a little, and for even a drink of butter milk, for it was churning day and she knew there must be plenty in the house. Then the farmer’s wife grew very angry, and said she would turn the dogs on her if she didn’t go away, and that no tramp should get anything from her. On this the woman muttered some words, with her hand on the lintel of the door, and then went her way. Soon after, being much heated by the violence of her anger, the farmer’s wife went to the dairy for a drink; but as she poured out the draught she saw something black in the cup, and she tried to take it out with her finger, but it always escaped her. Then, being very thirsty, she drank off the milk, and still another and another cup, and in the drinking the black object disappeared. That night, however, she felt nigh to death, for her body began to swell, and turned black all over. Medical aid was sent for, but the doctor could make out nothing of the cause or nature of the53 strange disease. Then the priest was summoned, and he at once, having heard the story, said there was witchcraft in it; and he proceeded to pray, and to exorcise the evil spirit in the woman. Besides this he made her be placed in a hot bath, into which he poured some holy water.

At first the woman uttered fierce cries, and said her body seemed rent and torn; but gradually she became calmer, and the blackness slowly went down from head to feet, and finally disappeared, leaving the body fair and whole, all except one hand, and this remained still as black as ink. The holy water was poured on it, and the priest prayed, but nothing would remove the devil’s mark.

So the priest told her at last that the blackness would remain as a sign and token of her sins against the poor; and from that day forth to her death the mark of the evil spell remained on her, but she grew kinder to the poor, for her heart was shaken by terror. And when she came to die there was no blackness on her hand, for the tears of the poor she had succoured and befriended had washed all the devil’s mark away, before the moment came when her soul was to appear before God.

@ 1c6b3be3:73f0ae6f

Releases - No Bullshit Bitcoin

NDK v2.10: Performance Gains, New Tutorials, Cache Adapter, ndk-wallet (2 min) NDK, a user-friendly and reliable Nostr development kit, has released a major update with several new features and improvements. These include optimistic signature verification, which verifies events at different ratios based on whether the relay is unknown or in the user's NIP-65 list. The Nostr Cache Adapter allows developers to connect their apps to a single local relay for caching purposes. A refactored zapping interface now supports various funding and delivery mechanisms beyond Lightning Network (LN).

Additionally, the subscription lifecycle has been refactored for better clarity and fewer dependencies from nostr-tools. Tutorials and other high-level documentation have been added to the project's GitHub repository (nostr-dev-kit.github.io/ndk). The NIP-60 ndk-wallet extension supports nostr-native wallet functionality, enabling token verification, nutzap redemption, UTXO management, and balance tracking for users in a non-KYC manner.

The update was made possible thanks to the support from OpenSats and other generous contributors. The GitHub repository contains the release notes, blog post, and code updates for this new version of NDK.

Aqua Wallet v0.2.0: RBF, Lower Liquid Fees, Native USDT Transactions (1 min) Aqua Wallet, a mobile Bitcoin, Lightning, Liquid, and Tether wallet available on Android and iOS, has released version 0.2.0. The update includes lower Liquid Network transaction fees (now ~40 sats), native Tether USDt transactions with the option to pay fees using USDT, Taproot swaps for instant refunds on failed Lightning sends, more fiat currency display options, RBF for Bitcoin sends, an Internal Send flow as a swap option, Direct Peg-In option for Layer 2 Bitcoin, and added support for Mexas (MEX) stablecoin. Additionally, Beaver Bitcoin and Pocket Bitcoin are now available in the Marketplace for Canada and Europe, respectively. There are also bug fixes throughout the app. Known issues include new fiat currency options not working on the Swap interface, where USD values must still be entered.

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